The works of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya

Viṣṇusahasranāmastotram

Verse 605

सर्वागमानामाचारः प्रथमं परिकल्पते ।आचारप्रभवो धर्मो धर्मस्य प्रभुरच्युतः ॥ १३७ ॥

In plain words

Right conduct is what every scripture sets down first. Dharma is born out of conduct — and the lord of dharma is Acyuta, who never falls from himself.

Close to the Sanskrit

Of all the scriptures, conduct is ordained as the first. Dharma has conduct as its origin; and the lord of dharma is Acyuta.