Men are social animals, so it is said. When we live together in the form of society, we need a body of laws to keep peace and ensure justice for all members, without which it would be impossible for the society to function. We can say, therefore, that all of us are under the protection of law. But the Buddha speaks about a different kind of protection, a far superior one. It is the moral protection that he so often stresses.

There are two virtues, according to the Buddha, that provide us with the best protection-if we earnestly practice them. They are:
1.Hiri-Shame at doing evil (Moral Shame)
2.Ottappa-Fear of the result of doing evil (Moral Dread)

Hiri is moral shame or conscience. It arise out of an understanding of what is right or wrong, good or bad, and is developed through a constant application or moral vigilance.

A person who practice Hiri does not do anything rashly or without proper forethought, but will always exercise precaution in all actions. Before doing anything, he wisely asks himself, "Is it right or wrong? Is it good or bad?" If he finds it to be wrong or bad, he will not do it, no matter what the temptation. If, however, he realizes after an unprejudiced consideration that he intends to do is right and good, he will make an effort to finish the task and will not give it up.

Hiri can be compared to the aversive feeling a person who loves cleanliness may experience when he sees something loathsome or disgusting. He may not, for instance, put his hand into a trash bag full of stinking garbage if he can avoid it. When he comes across a puddle of mud and dirts, he would step aside to avoid getting himself and his clothes smudged.

Likewise, an individual who practices Hiri feels disgusted with all bad actions, physical, verbal, and mental, and would endeavor to avoid them as far as possible. He does not do such things as stamping his feet before his parents, talking impolitely back at them, or having an unkind and unrespectful thought toward them, for he knows that such are bad and unbecoming of a good Buddhist and would make their parents very unhappy indeed.

Ottappa is moral dread or fear to do something wrong or immoral. It is the result of a firm belief in the doctrine of Karma which states that a willful action brings about an appropriate consequence, sooner or later.

An individual who has Ottappa is afraid to do evil deeds because he knows that they will bring evil results and unhappiness to himself and others; he will not, on the other hand, hesitate to do the right things, firmly believing that the consequences thereof will be pleasant and beneficial. Unfortunately, people tend to do just the opposite of what they should-they are brave to do evil, but afraid to do good.

Ottappa can be compared to fear of a poisonous snake. Just as an individual avoids the snakebite, knowing that such is fatal, even so an Ottappa person tries to avoid evil because he knows that its consequences are painful. He does not do wrong things even when he is sure that he will not be caught, for he understands that the law of Karma operates at all time and all places. For this reason also he is encouraged to do good even if no one else notices it or acknowledges his good deeds.

If people practice these two virtues, the world will, indeed, be well protected and there would be less need for law. No evil deeds will be committed even in secrecy. The world will thus be a very happy place for us all.