[255] Bhikkhus, these two bright qualities (sukkā dhammā) protect the world. Which two? Moral shame (hirī) and moral dread (ottappa). These, bhikkhus, are the two bright qualities that protect the world. If these two bright qualities did not protect the world, there would not be discerned here "mother," or "mother's sister," or "uncle's wife," or "teacher's wife," or "wives of those worthy of respect"; the world would have fallen into promiscuity, as with goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, dogs and jackals. But since, bhikkhus, these two bright qualities protect the world, therefore there is discerned "mother," or "mother's sister," or "uncle's wife," or "teacher's wife," or "wives of those worthy of respect."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.