อนุทิน 119835

Buddha Vacana

   With four things women win power in this world, this world is in their hand.  What four?  Concerning this, a woman is capable at her work, she manages the servants properly, she is loved by her husband and she guards his wealth.  
   And how is a woman capable at her work?  Whatever her husband's home industries, whether in wool or cotton, she is deft and tireless, gifted with an inquiring turn of mind into ways and means and able to arrange and carry out the job.  
   And how does she manage the servants properly?  Whether there be servants, messengers or workers in her husband's household, she knows the work of each and what has been done, she knows what has to be avoided, she knows the strengths and weaknesses of the sick, she shares out the food, both hard and soft, according to their share.  
   And how is she loved by her husband?  Whatever her husband considers unlovely, she would never do, not even to save her life.  
   And how does she guard her husband's wealth?  Whatever money, grain, silver or gold he brings home, she secures, watches and guards; never does she steals, misuses or wastes it.

-- A.IV,269

<Note: This view of women's role (as wife of man) in ancient India and the Buddha's reluctance to allow women to be ordained as bhikkhuni (Aananda had to ask 3 times before the Buddha agreed) still underpin many cultures, today, >