100 |
It’s better than a thousand sayings,
All of worthless words comprised,
A single word that’s full of substance,
Hearing which, one’s pacified.
|
101 |
It’s better than a thousand verses,
All of useless words comprised,
A single line that’s full of substance,
Hearing which, one’s pacified.
|
102 |
It’s better than a hundred verses,
All of worthless words comprised,
A single line composed on Dhamma,
Hearing which, one’s pacified.
|
103 |
A single maid in battle
Against a million might prevail;
But she who quells just one, herself,
Indeed’s a victor non-pareil.
|
104a |
To conquer oneself is a genuine coup,
Better than anyone else to subdue.
|
104b
-105 |
For those who are tamed,
In all conduct restrained,
Not a god or gandhabba,
Not Mara or Brahma
The victory unmakes
Of those having such traits. |
106 |
Though month after month for a century
One did thousands of favours for charity,
Then, if one revered momentarily
A person who’d trained himself inwardly,
Then that would have more moral potency
Than that century of favours for charity.
|
107 |
A man in the woods for a century
Might worship a fire reverentially;
Then, if he revered momentarily
A person who’d trained himself inwardly,
Then that would have more moral potency
Than that worship of fire for a century.
|
108 |
For a year one might alms and oblations bestow,
Hoping for merit to make on this globe.
All that bestowing would little avail:
Homage to those who are upright prevails. |
109 |
People who honour the morally pure,
Who always respect the disciples mature,
For them will develop the happy quaternity:
Beauty, longevity, joy and vitality. |
110 |
A person might live for as long as a century,
With mind discomposed and imbued with iniquity:
Better the life of a day of integrity,
Training one’s mind and preserving morality.
|
111 |
A person might live for as long as a century,
With mind discomposed and imbued with stupidity:
Better the life of a day of integrity,
Training one’s mind and possessing sagacity. |
112 |
A person might live for as long as a century,
Lazing about and depleted of energy:
Better the life of a day of integrity,
Rousing an effort and striving tenaciously. |
113 |
A person might live for as long as a century,
Blind to arising and ceasing activity:
Better the life of a day of integrity,
Marking the rising and ceasing duality. |
114 |
A person might live for as long as a century,
Failing to find the immortal sublimity:
Better the life of a day of integrity,
One that is blessed with the deathless epiphany. |
115 |
A person might live for as long as a century,
Failing to find the most sacred reality:
Better the life of a day of integrity,
Coming upon that unparalleled sanctity. |
| |
|
| |
Go to the next chapter |
