The mother rejoices to see a male child; she
says, “A son is born.” Then he grows up
quarrelsome, slanderous, thievish and vicious.
Wherever he goes he injures men; he gains nothing
but contempt. It is all a sad mistake; why was he
not smothered at his birth? The earth shudders
beneath his weight; he and such as he are creatures
of hell. His speech is cruel; his gaze is evil; his
mind is foul; his evil ways make him a pollution;
sin and contamination go with him. Tuka says,
He is a vile thing, meet to be avoided.
says, “A son is born.” Then he grows up
quarrelsome, slanderous, thievish and vicious.
Wherever he goes he injures men; he gains nothing
but contempt. It is all a sad mistake; why was he
not smothered at his birth? The earth shudders
beneath his weight; he and such as he are creatures
of hell. His speech is cruel; his gaze is evil; his
mind is foul; his evil ways make him a pollution;
sin and contamination go with him. Tuka says,
He is a vile thing, meet to be avoided.