They should be shom of cruelty, and truthful. They should never lay out money on interest and should always be simple and sincere. One that is peaceful in temper, shorn of vanity, modest charitable, self-controlled, and contented, intelligent, truthful, observant of vows, and harmless to all creatures, without lust and malice, and endued with the three other excellent qualities, devoid of envy and blessed with knowledge, is worthy of the seat of Brahman himself. Persons possessing such qualities, O sire, are the best of priests and deserve every respect.
अनृशंसाः सत्यवाक्या अकुसीदा अथर्जवः। अद्रोहोऽनभिमानश्च हीस्तितिक्षा दमः शमः॥ यस्मिन्नेतानि दृश्यन्ते स पुरोहित उच्यते। धीमान् सत्यधृतिर्दान्तो भूतानामविहिंसकः। अकामद्वेषसंयुक्तस्त्रिभिः शुक्लैः समन्वितः॥ अहिंसको ज्ञानतृप्तः स ब्रह्मासनमर्हति। एते महत्विजस्तात सर्वे मान्या यथार्हतः॥