1. The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: ‘By what does Aharman most deceive and lead people to hell? 3. And from what is his pleasure most? 4. Where is the place he has a foundation? [ p. 88 ] 5. Where, also, is his coming, together with the demons, most? 6. And from what is his food?’
7. The spirit of wisdom answered (8) thus: Aharman deceives people most by prosperity and adversity [1], the fiend of apostasy, scepticism, and covetousness. 9. His pleasure, also, is most from the discord of men. 10. And his food is from the impenitence [2] and reticence of men. 11. He has a foundation in the malicious [3]. 12. And his coming and going are most with the wrathful.’