Dhammapada

If one man conquer in battle a thousand times thousand men, and if another conquer himself, he is the greatest of conquerors.

One's own self conquered is better than all other people; not even a god, a Gandharva, not Mara with Brahman could change into defeat the victory of a man who has vanquished himself, and always lives under restraint.

Plain English · paraphraseBeating yourself is better than beating others. Even a god, a Gandharva, even Mara with Brahman cannot defeat the victory of a man who has conquered himself and always lives in control.

If a man for a hundred years sacrifice month after month with a thousand, and if he but for one moment pay homage to a man whose soul is grounded (in true knowledge), better is that homage than sacrifice for a hundred years.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a man for a hundred years offers sacrifice month after month, a thousand times, and if he for just one moment pays homage to a man whose soul is rooted in true knowledge, that homage is better than sacrifice for a hundred years.

If a man for a hundred years worship Agni (fire) in the forest, and if he but for one moment pay homage to a man whose soul is grounded (in true knowledge), better is that homage than sacrifice for a hundred years.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a man worships Agni (fire) in the forest for a hundred years, but for just one moment honors a man whose soul is rooted in true knowledge, that moment of honor is better than a hundred years of sacrifice.

Whatever a man sacrifice in this world as an offering or as an oblation for a whole year in order to gain merit, the whole of it is not worth a quarter (a farthing); reverence shown to the righteous is better.

He who always greets and constantly reveres the aged, four things will increase to him, viz. life, beauty, happiness, power.

But he who lives a hundred years, vicious and unrestrained, a life of one day is better if a man is virtuous and reflecting.

And he who lives a hundred years, ignorant and unrestrained, a life of one day is better if a man is wise and reflecting.

And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing beginning and end, a life of one day is better if a man sees beginning and end.

If a man would hasten towards the good, he should keep his thought away from evil; if a man does what is good slothfully, his mind delights in evil.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a man wants to move quickly toward the good, he should keep his thoughts away from evil. If a man does what is good in a lazy way, his mind takes pleasure in evil.

If a man commits a sin, let him not do it again; let him not delight in sin: pain is the outcome of evil.

If a man does what is good, let him do it again; let him delight in it: happiness is the outcome of good.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a person does good, let him do it again; let him take joy in it. Happiness comes from good.

Let no man think lightly of good, saying in his heart, It will not come nigh unto me. Even by the falling of water-drops a water-pot is filled; the wise man becomes full of good, even if he gather it little by little.

Plain English · paraphraseLet no one think lightly of good, saying in their heart, "It will not come near me." Even by the falling of waterdrops, a waterpot is filled. The wise person becomes full of good, even if they gather it little by little.

Let a man avoid evil deeds, as a merchant, if he has few companions and carries much wealth, avoids a dangerous road; as a man who loves life avoids poison.

Plain English · paraphraseLet a person avoid bad actions, like a merchant, when he has few friends and carries a lot of money, avoids a dangerous road; like a person who wants to live avoids poison.

He who has no wound on his hand, may touch poison with his hand; poison does not affect one who has no wound; nor is there evil for one who does not commit evil.

If a man offend a harmless, pure, and innocent person, the evil falls back upon that fool, like light dust thrown up against the wind.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a man wrongs a harmless, pure, and innocent person, the evil returns to that fool, like light dust thrown up against the wind.

Some people are born again; evil-doers go to hell; righteous people go to heaven; those who are free from all worldly desires attain Nirvana.

Not in the sky, not in the midst of the sea, not if we enter into the clefts of the mountains, is there known a spot in the whole world where death could not overcome (the mortal).

All men tremble at punishment, all men fear death; remember that you are like unto them, and do not kill, nor cause slaughter.

Plain English · paraphraseAll people are afraid of punishment. All people fear death. Remember that you are like them. Do not kill, and do not cause killing.

All men tremble at punishment, all men love life; remember that thou art like unto them, and do not kill, nor cause slaughter.

Plain English · paraphraseAll people fear punishment. All people love life. Remember that you are like them. Do not kill. Do not cause slaughter.

He who seeking his own happiness does not punish or kill beings who also long for happiness, will find happiness after death.

Do not speak harshly to anybody; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful, blows for blows will touch thee.

If, like a shattered metal plate (gong), thou utter not, then thou hast reached Nirvana; contention is not known to thee.

Plain English · paraphraseIf you, like a broken bronze plate, do not speak, then you have reached Nirvana; you do not know about conflict.

As a cowherd with his staff drives his cows into the stable, so do Age and Death drive the life of men.

Plain English · paraphraseLike a cowherd using his staff to drive his cows into the barn, so too do old age and death drive human life.

A fool does not know when he commits his evil deeds: but the wicked man burns by his own deeds, as if burnt by fire.

He who inflicts pain on innocent and harmless persons, will soon come to one of these ten states:

Plain English · paraphraseHe who causes suffering to innocent and harmless people will soon fall into one of these ten conditions:

He will have cruel suffering, loss, injury of the body, heavy affliction, or loss of mind,

Plain English · paraphraseHe will suffer cruel pain, loss, harm to his body, serious illness, or loss of his mind.

Or a misfortune coming from the king, or a fearful accusation, or loss of relations, or destruction of treasures,

Or lightning-fire will burn his houses; and when his body is destroyed, the fool will go to hell.

Not nakedness, not platted hair, not dirt, not fasting, or lying on the earth, not rubbing with dust, not sitting motionless, can purify a mortal who has not overcome desires.

He who, though dressed in fine apparel, exercises tranquillity, is quiet, subdued, restrained, chaste, and has ceased to find fault with all other beings, he indeed is a Brahmana, an ascetic (sramana), a friar (bhikshu).

Is there in this world any man so restrained by humility that he does not mind reproof, as a well-trained horse the whip?

Like a well-trained horse when touched by the whip, be ye active and lively, and by faith, by virtue, by energy, by meditation, by discernment of the law you will overcome this great pain (of reproof), perfect in knowledge and in behaviour, and never forgetful.

Well-makers lead the water (wherever they like); fletchers bend the arrow; carpenters bend a log of wood; good people fashion themselves.

How is there laughter, how is there joy, as this world is always burning? Why do you not seek a light, ye who are surrounded by darkness?

Plain English · paraphraseHow can there be laughter, how can there be joy, when this world is always burning? Why do you not look for a light, you who are surrounded by darkness?

Look at this dressed-up lump, covered with wounds, joined together, sickly, full of many thoughts, which has no strength, no hold!

This body is wasted, full of sickness, and frail; this heap of corruption breaks to pieces, life indeed ends in death.

Plain English · paraphraseThis body is worn out, full of illness and weakness. This pile of decay crumbles to pieces. Life ends in death.

Those white bones, like gourds thrown away in the autumn, what pleasure is there in looking at them?

After a stronghold has been made of the bones, it is covered with flesh and blood, and there dwell in it old age and death, pride and deceit.

A man who has learnt little, grows old like an ox; his flesh grows, but his knowledge does not grow.

Looking for the maker of this tabernacle, I shall have to run through a course of many births, so long as I do not find (him); and painful is birth again and again. But now, maker of the tabernacle, thou hast been seen; thou shalt not make up this tabernacle again. All thy rafters are broken, thy ridge-pole is sundered; the mind, approaching the Eternal (visankhara, nirvana), has attained to the extinction of all desires.

Plain English · paraphraseLooking for the maker of this body, I will have to go through many lifetimes, as long as I don’t find him. And birth again and again is painful. But now, maker of the body, you have been seen. You will not build this body again. All your beams are broken, your main beam is shattered. The mind, turning toward the Eternal (visankhara, nirvana), has reached the end of all desires.

Men who have not observed proper discipline, and have not gained treasure in their youth, perish like old herons in a lake without fish.

Men who have not observed proper discipline, and have not gained treasure in their youth, lie, like broken bows, sighing after the past.

Plain English · paraphraseMen who did not follow proper discipline and did not gain treasure in their youth lie, like broken bows, sighing for the past.

If a man hold himself dear, let him watch himself carefully; during one at least out of the three watches a wise man should be watchful.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a man values himself, he should watch himself closely. At least one of the three watches, a wise man should stay alert.

Let each man direct himself first to what is proper, then let him teach others; thus a wise man will not suffer.

Plain English · paraphraseLet each person first attend to what is right, and then teach others. In this way, a wise person will not be harmed.

If a man make himself as he teaches others to be, then, being himself well subdued, he may subdue (others); one's own self is indeed difficult to subdue.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a man makes himself like what he teaches others to be, then, having mastered himself, he may master others. One's own self is indeed hard to master.

Self is the lord of self, who else could be the lord? With self well subdued, a man finds a lord such as few can find.

Plain English · paraphraseSelf is the master of self. Who else could be the master? When self is well controlled, a man finds a master such as few can find.

The evil done by oneself, self-begotten, self-bred, crushes the foolish, as a diamond breaks a precious stone.

He whose wickedness is very great brings himself down to that state where his enemy wishes him to be, as a creeper does with the tree which it surrounds.

Plain English · paraphraseA person whose wickedness is very great brings himself down to the state his enemy wants him to be, like a creeper does to the tree it surrounds.

Bad deeds, and deeds hurtful to ourselves, are easy to do; what is beneficial and good, that is very difficult to do.

Plain English · paraphraseBad deeds, and deeds that harm us, are easy to do. What is good and helpful is very hard to do.

By oneself the evil is done, by oneself one suffers; by oneself evil is left undone, by oneself one is purified. Purity and impurity belong to oneself, no one can purify another.

Plain English · paraphraseBy yourself, evil is done, and by yourself, you suffer. By yourself, evil is not done, and by yourself, you are purified. Purity and impurity belong to you. No one can purify another.

Let no one forget his own duty for the sake of another's, however great; let a man, after he has discerned his own duty, be always attentive to his duty.

Plain English · paraphraseLet no one forget their own duty for the sake of another's, however great. Let a person, after they have understood their own duty, always pay attention to their duty.

Do not follow the evil law! Do not live on in thoughtlessness! Do not follow false doctrine! Be not a friend of the world.

Rouse thyself! do not be idle! Follow the law of virtue! The virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next.

Follow the law of virtue; do not follow that of sin. The virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next.

Look upon the world as a bubble, look upon it as a mirage: the king of death does not see him who thus looks down upon the world.

Come, look at this glittering world, like unto a royal chariot; the foolish are immersed in it, but the wise do not touch it.

Plain English · paraphraseCome, look at this shining world, like a royal chariot; the foolish are caught up in it, but the wise do not touch it.

He who formerly was reckless and afterwards became sober, brightens up this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.

Plain English · paraphraseHe who was once reckless and then became sober brightens this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.

He whose evil deeds are covered by good deeds, brightens up this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.

This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to heaven, like birds escaped from the net.

Plain English · paraphraseThis world is dark. Only a few can see here. Only a few go to heaven, like birds escaped from the net.

The swans go on the path of the sun, they go through the ether by means of their miraculous power; the wise are led out of this world, when they have conquered Mara and his train.

Better than sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven, better than lordship over all worlds, is the reward of the first step in holiness.

Plain English · paraphraseBetter than ruling the earth, better than going to heaven, better than ruling all worlds, is the reward of taking the first step in holiness.

He whose conquest is not conquered again, into whose conquest no one in this world enters, by what track can you lead him, the Awakened, the Omniscient, the trackless?

He whom no desire with its snares and poisons can lead astray, by what track can you lead him, the Awakened, the Omniscient, the trackless?

Even the gods envy those who are awakened and not forgetful, who are given to meditation, who are wise, and who delight in the repose of retirement (from the world).

Difficult (to obtain) is the conception of men, difficult is the life of mortals, difficult is the hearing of the True Law, difficult is the birth of the Awakened (the attainment of Buddhahood).

Plain English · paraphraseIt is hard for people to conceive. It is hard for mortals to live. It is hard to hear the True Law. It is hard to become Awakened (to attain Buddhahood).

Not to commit any sin, to do good, and to purify one's mind, that is the teaching of (all) the Awakened.

The Awakened call patience the highest penance, long-suffering the highest Nirvana; for he is not an anchorite (pravragita) who strikes others, he is not an ascetic (sramana) who insults others.

Not to blame, not to strike, to live restrained under the law, to be moderate in eating, to sleep and sit alone, and to dwell on the highest thoughts, - this is the teaching of the Awakened.

Plain English · paraphraseDo not blame, do not strike. Live under the law with restraint. Be moderate in eating. Sleep and sit alone. Focus on the highest thoughts. This is the teaching of the Awakened.

There is no satisfying lusts, even by a shower of gold pieces; he who knows that lusts have a short taste and cause pain, he is wise;

Even in heavenly pleasures he finds no satisfaction, the disciple who is fully awakened delights only in the destruction of all desires.

Men, driven by fear, go to many a refuge, to mountains and forests, to groves and sacred trees.

But that is not a safe refuge, that is not the best refuge; a man is not delivered from all pains after having gone to that refuge.

Plain English · paraphraseBut that is not a safe place to turn to, that is not the best place to turn to; a person is not freed from all suffering after going to that place.

He who takes refuge with Buddha, the Law, and the Church; he who, with clear understanding, sees the four holy truths: -

Viz. pain, the origin of pain, the destruction of pain, and the eightfold holy way that leads to the quieting of pain; -

That is the safe refuge, that is the best refuge; having gone to that refuge, a man is delivered from all pain.

Plain English · paraphraseThat is the safe place to go, that is the best place to go; when a person goes to that place, they are freed from all suffering.

A supernatural person (a Buddha) is not easily found, he is not born everywhere. Wherever such a sage is born, that race prospers.

Happy is the arising of the awakened, happy is the teaching of the True Law, happy is peace in the church, happy is the devotion of those who are at peace.

He who pays homage to those who deserve homage, whether the awakened (Buddha) or their disciples, those who have overcome the host (of evils), and crossed the flood of sorrow, he who pays homage to such as have found deliverance and know no fear, his merit can never be measured by anybody.

Let us live happily then, free from greed among the greedy! among men who are greedy let us dwell free from greed!

Let us live happily then, though we call nothing our own! We shall be like the bright gods, feeding on happiness!

Plain English · paraphraseLet us live happily, then, even if we own nothing! We will be like the shining gods, feeding on happiness!

Victory breeds hatred, for the conquered is unhappy. He who has given up both victory and defeat, he, the contented, is happy.

Plain English · paraphraseVictory brings hatred, because the defeated is unhappy. The one who has given up both victory and defeat, he, the contented one, is happy.

There is no fire like passion; there is no losing throw like hatred; there is no pain like this body; there is no happiness higher than rest.

Hunger is the worst of diseases, the body the greatest of pains; if one knows this truly, that is Nirvana, the highest happiness.

Plain English · paraphraseHunger is the worst disease. The body is the greatest pain. If one truly knows this, that is Nirvana, the highest happiness.

Health is the greatest of gifts, contentedness the best riches; trust is the best of relationships, Nirvana the highest happiness.

He who has tasted the sweetness of solitude and tranquillity, is free from fear and free from sin, while he tastes the sweetness of drinking in the law.