MANU SAMHITA
CHAPTER TWO VERSE 109 TO 115
109. According to the sacred law the (following) ten (persons, viz.) the teacher’s son[1], one who desires to do service[2], one who imparts knowledge[3], one who is intent on fulfilling the law[4], one who is pure[5], a person connected by marriage or friendship[6], one who possesses (mental) ability[7], one who makes presents of money[8], one who is honest[9], and a relative[10, may be instructed .
110. Unless one be asked, one must not explain (anything) to anybody, nor (must one answer) a person who asks improperly; let a wise man, though he knows (the answer), behave among men as (if he were) an idiot.
111. Of the two persons, him who illegally explains (anything), and him who illegally asks (a question), one (or both) will die or incur (the other’s) enmity.
112. Where merit and wealth are not (obtained by teaching) nor (at least) due obedience, in such (soil) sacred knowledge must not be sown, just as good seed (must) not (be thrown) on barren land.
113. Even in times of dire distress a teacher of the Veda should rather die with his knowledge than sow it in barren soil.
114. Sacred Learning approached a Brahmana and said to him: ‘I am thy treasure, preserve me, deliver me not to a scorner; so (preserved) I shall become supremely strong.’
115. ‘But deliver me, as to the keeper of thy treasure, to a Brahmana whom thou shalt know to be pure, of subdued senses, chaste and attentive.’