Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 1
नाऽऽश्रेयसि रतो विद्वान्नविरुद्धकथारुचिः। उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता वाचस्पतिर्यथा
nā''śreyasi rato vidvānnaviruddhakathāruciḥ| uttarottarayuktau ca vaktā vācaspatiryathā
A learned man, he evinced no interest in pursuits that did not contribute to one's welfare or had he any liking for speaking against others. But in debates his oratorical flourish was comparable to Brihaspati's.
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Rama has no interest in pursuits that bring no welfare or lead to ill repute. The verse presents a simple but profound filter for action: does this lead to well-being? Does it risk my good name? If the answer is unclear, Rama does not engage.
अर्थअयशस्