Encyclopaedia of Sanskrit subhāṣitas 25

25

akartavyeṣvasādhvīva tṛṣṇā prerayate janam /
tameva sarvapāpebhyo lajjā māteva rakṣati //

Craving impels a person toward deeds that ought not to be done, like an unchaste woman; / shame protects that very person from all sins, like a mother.