The taint of prayers is non-repetition; the taint of houses, non- repair; the taint of the body is sloth; the taint of a watchman, thoughtlessness
The thirst of a thoughtless man grows like a creeper; he runs from life to life, like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest
This salutary word I tell you, `Do ye, as many as are here assembled, dig up the root of thirst, as he who wants the sweet- scented Usira root must dig up the Birana grass, that Ma...
Be not thoughtless, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud
An act carelessly performed, a broken vow, and hesitating obedience to discipline, all this brings no great reward
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
The Bhikshu who controls his mouth, who speaks wisely and calmly, who teaches the meaning and the law, his word is sweet
The evil done by oneself, self-begotten, self-bred, crushes the foolish, as a diamond breaks a precious stone
After a man has once understood the law as taught by the Well- awakened (Buddha), let him worship it carefully, as the Brahmana worships the sacrificial fire
(To illustrate from) the case of all females:--the female always overcomes the male by her stillness Stillness may be considered (a sort of) abasement
I do not call a man a Brahmana because of his origin or of his mother He is indeed arrogant, and he is wealthy: but the poor, who is free from all attachments, him I call indeed a...
Or lightning-fire will burn his houses; and when his body is destroyed, the fool will go to hell
They who know what is forbidden as forbidden, and what is not forbidden as not forbidden, such men, embracing the true doctrine, enter the good path The Elephant
Those whose mind is well grounded in the (seven) elements of knowledge, who without clinging to anything, rejoice in freedom from attachment, whose appetites have been conquered, a...
When these two do not injuriously affect each other, their good influences converge in the virtue (of the Tao)
Follow not after vanity, nor after the enjoyment of love and lust! He who is earnest and meditative, obtains ample joy
That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower than they;--it is thus that they are the kings...
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who in this world, leaving all desires, travels about without a home, and in whom all concupiscence is extinct
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who, though he has committed no offence, endures reproach, bonds, and stripes, who has endurance for his force, and strength for his army
Him I call indeed a Brahmana whose path the gods do not know, nor spirits (Gandharvas), nor men, whose passions are extinct, and who is an Arhat (venerable)
Mules are good, if tamed, and noble Sindhu horses, and elephants with large tusks; but he who tames himself is better still
They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse
Or a misfortune coming from the king, or a fearful accusation, or loss of relations, or destruction of treasures,
They depart with their thoughts well-collected, they are not happy in their abode; like swans who have left their lake, they leave their house and home
I Come hither, Maruts, on your chariots charged with lightning, resounding with beautiful songs, stored with spears, and winged with horses! Fly to us like birds, with your best fo...
Without going outside his door, one understands (all that takes place) under the sky; without looking out from his window, one sees the Tao of Heaven The farther that one goes out...
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who, after leaving all bondage to men, has risen above all bondage to the gods, and is free from all and every bondage
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who is bright like the moon, pure, serene, undisturbed, and in whom all gaiety is extinct
The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by vanity: therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from vanity brings great reward
(The Tao) which originated all under the sky is to be considered as the mother of them all