8 causes of the downfall of families

Eight causes of the downfall of families:

1. Families go to their downfall because of kings

2. Families go to their downfall because of thieves

3. Families go to their downfall because of fire

4. Families go to their downfall because of floods

5. Or their stored-up treasure disappears

6. Or their mismanaged undertakings go wrong

7. Or in the family a wastrel is born who squanders, scatters, and shatters its wealth

8. Or inconstancy itself

(from Samyutta Nikaya 42.9)

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