One, especially a Brahmana, should very carefully maintain his character. One whose character is not weak is never weakened. But he that has lost his character is himself lost.
वृत्तं यत्नेन संरक्ष्यं ब्राह्मणेन विशेषतः। अक्षीणवृत्तो न क्षीणो वृत्ततस्तु हतो हतः॥