O Brahmana, a man may be born as a Shudra but if he is endued with good qualities, he may attain to the state of a Vaishya. Similarly that of a Kshatriya and if he is steadfast in rectitude he may even become a Brahmana. I have described to you all these virtues, what else do you wish to learn.
शूद्रयोनौ हि जातस्य सहगुणानुपतिष्ठतः। वैश्यत्वं लभते ब्रह्मन् क्षत्रियत्वं तथैव च॥ आर्जवे वर्तमानस्य ब्राह्मण्यमभिजायते। गुणास्ते कीर्तिताः सर्वे किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि॥