Dhammapada

All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.

Plain English · paraphraseEverything we are comes from what we have thought. It is built on our thoughts, made up of our thoughts. If a person speaks or acts with a bad thought, suffering follows him, like the wheel follows the foot of the ox pulling the cart.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

Plain English · paraphraseEverything we are comes from what we have thought. It is built on our thoughts, made up of our thoughts. If a person speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows them, like a shadow that never leaves them.

"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me," - in those who harbour such thoughts hatred will never cease.

"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me," - in those who do not harbour such thoughts hatred will cease.

For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love, this is an old rule.

Plain English · paraphraseHatred never ends by hatred. Hatred ends by love. This is an old rule.

The world does not know that we must all come to an end here; - but those who know it, their quarrels cease at once.

He who lives looking for pleasures only, his senses uncontrolled, immoderate in his food, idle, and weak, Mara (the tempter) will certainly overthrow him, as the wind throws down a weak tree.

He who wishes to put on the yellow dress without having cleansed himself from sin, who disregards temperance and truth, is unworthy of the yellow dress.

Plain English · paraphraseHe who wants to wear the yellow dress without first cleansing himself from sin, who ignores self-control and truth, is not worthy of the yellow dress.

But he who has cleansed himself from sin, is well grounded in all virtues, and regards also temperance and truth, he is indeed worthy of the yellow dress.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the one who has cleaned himself from sin is firmly rooted in all good qualities and also values self-control and truth. He is truly worthy of the yellow robe.

They who know truth in truth, and untruth in untruth, arrive at truth, and follow true desires.

As rain does not break through a well-thatched house, passion will not break through a well-reflecting mind.

The evil-doer mourns in this world, and he mourns in the next; he mourns in both. He mourns and suffers when he sees the evil of his own work.

The thoughtless man, even if he can recite a large portion (of the law), but is not a doer of it, has no share in the priesthood, but is like a cowherd counting the cows of others.

Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvana), thoughtlessness the path of death. Those who are in earnest do not die, those who are thoughtless are as if dead already.

Plain English · paraphraseEarnestness is the way to immortality (Nirvana). Thoughtlessness is the way to death. Those who are earnest do not die. Those who are thoughtless are already as good as dead.

These wise people, meditative, steady, always possessed of strong powers, attain to Nirvana, the highest happiness.

Plain English · paraphraseThese wise people, thoughtful, steady, always having strong powers, reach Nirvana, the greatest happiness.

If an earnest person has roused himself, if he is not forgetful, if his deeds are pure, if he acts with consideration, if he restrains himself, and lives according to law, - then his glory will increase.

By rousing himself, by earnestness, by restraint and control, the wise man may make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.

Plain English · paraphraseBy working on himself, by being serious, by holding back and controlling himself, a wise person can create for himself an island that no flood can cover.

Fools follow after vanity, men of evil wisdom. The wise man keeps earnestness as his best jewel.

Plain English · paraphraseFools chase emptiness, men with twisted wisdom. The wise man holds sincerity as his greatest treasure.

When the learned man drives away vanity by earnestness, he, the wise, climbing the terraced heights of wisdom, looks down upon the fools, serene he looks upon the toiling crowd, as one that stands on a mountain looks down upon them that stand upon the plain.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the learned man drives away vanity by being earnest, he, the wise, climbs the terraced heights of wisdom. He looks down upon the fools. He looks upon the toiling crowd with serenity, as one who stands on a mountain looks down upon those who stand on the plain.

Earnest among the thoughtless, awake among the sleepers, the wise man advances like a racer, leaving behind the hack.

By earnestness did Maghavan (Indra) rise to the lordship of the gods. People praise earnestness; thoughtlessness is always blamed.

Plain English · paraphraseMaghavan (Indra) became the ruler of the gods through earnestness. People praise earnestness. Thoughtlessness is always blamed.

A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in earnestness, who looks with fear on thoughtlessness, moves about like fire, burning all his fetters, small or large.

Plain English · paraphraseA mendicant who takes joy in sincerity, who sees carelessness with fear, moves about like fire, burning all his bonds, whether small or large.

A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in reflection, who looks with fear on thoughtlessness, cannot fall away (from his perfect state) - he is close upon Nirvana.

As a fletcher makes straight his arrow, a wise man makes straight his trembling and unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard, difficult to hold back.

Plain English · paraphraseLike a fletcher straightening his arrow, a wise man straightens his trembling, unsteady thoughts, which are hard to guard and hard to hold back.

As a fish taken from his watery home and thrown on dry ground, our thought trembles all over in order to escape the dominion of Mara (the tempter).

It is good to tame the mind, which is difficult to hold in and flighty, rushing wherever it listeth; a tamed mind brings happiness.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is good to train the mind, which is hard to control and restless, rushing wherever it wants; a trained mind brings happiness.

Let the wise man guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to perceive, very artful, and they rush wherever they list: thoughts well guarded bring happiness.

Plain English · paraphraseLet the wise person guard their thoughts, for they are hard to notice, very clever, and they go wherever they want. Well-guarded thoughts bring happiness.

Those who bridle their mind which travels far, moves about alone, is without a body, and hides in the chamber (of the heart), will be free from the bonds of Mara (the tempter).

If a man's thoughts are unsteady, if he does not know the true law, if his peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect.

If a man's thoughts are not dissipated, if his mind is not perplexed, if he has ceased to think of good or evil, then there is no fear for him while he is watchful.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a man's thoughts are not scattered, if his mind is not confused, if he has stopped thinking about good or evil, then there is no fear for him while he is alert.

Knowing that this body is (fragile) like a jar, and making this thought firm like a fortress, one should attack Mara (the tempter) with the weapon of knowledge, one should watch him when conquered, and should never rest.

Before long, alas! this body will lie on the earth, despised, without understanding, like a useless log.

Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a wrongly-directed mind will do us greater mischief.

Not a mother, not a father will do so much, nor any other relative; a well-directed mind will do us greater service.

Plain English · paraphraseNot a mother, not a father, nor any other relative will do as much for us. A well-directed mind will serve us better.

Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama (the lord of the departed), and the world of the gods? Who shall find out the plainly shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower?

Plain English · paraphraseWho can conquer this world, and the world of Yama (the ruler of the dead), and the world of the gods? Who can discover the clearly shown path of virtue, as a wise person finds the right flower?

The disciple will overcome the earth, and the world of Yama, and the world of the gods. The disciple will find out the plainly shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower.

He who knows that this body is like froth, and has learnt that it is as unsubstantial as a mirage, will break the flower-pointed arrow of Mara, and never see the king of death.

Death carries off a man who is gathering flowers and whose mind is distracted, as a flood carries off a sleeping village.

Death subdues a man who is gathering flowers, and whose mind is distracted, before he is satiated in his pleasures.

Plain English · paraphraseDeath overtakes a man who is picking flowers and whose thoughts are scattered, before he has had enough of his pleasures.

As the bee collects nectar and departs without injuring the flower, or its colour or scent, so let a sage dwell in his village.

Plain English · paraphraseLike a bee that gathers nectar and leaves without harming the flower, its color, or its scent, so let a wise person live in his village.

Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without scent, are the fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly.

But, like a beautiful flower, full of colour and full of scent, are the fine and fruitful words of him who acts accordingly.

As many kinds of wreaths can be made from a heap of flowers, so many good things may be achieved by a mortal when once he is born.

Plain English · paraphraseAs many kinds of wreaths can be made from a pile of flowers, so many good things can be achieved by a person once they are born.

The scent of flowers does not travel against the wind, nor (that of) sandal-wood, or of Tagara and Mallika flowers; but the odour of good people travels even against the wind; a good man pervades every place.

Plain English · paraphraseThe smell of flowers does not go against the wind. Neither does the smell of sandalwood, or of Tagara and Mallika flowers. But the scent of good people does go against the wind. A good person fills every place.

Mean is the scent that comes from Tagara and sandal-wood; - the perfume of those who possess virtue rises up to the gods as the highest.

As on a heap of rubbish cast upon the highway the lily will grow full of sweet perfume and delight, thus the disciple of the truly enlightened Buddha shines forth by his knowledge among those who are like rubbish, among the people that walk in darkness.

Plain English · paraphraseLike a lily growing full of sweet perfume on a pile of rubbish cast on the highway, the disciple of the truly enlightened Buddha shines with his knowledge among those who are like rubbish, among the people who walk in darkness.

Long is the night to him who is awake; long is a mile to him who is tired; long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law.

Plain English · paraphraseThe night feels long to someone who is awake; a mile feels long to someone who is tired; life feels long to the foolish who do not know the true law.

If a traveller does not meet with one who is his better, or his equal, let him firmly keep to his solitary journey; there is no companionship with a fool.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a traveler does not meet someone who is better than him or equal to him, let him keep going alone. There is no companionship with a fool.

"These sons belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me," with such thoughts a fool is tormented. He himself does not belong to himself; how much less sons and wealth?

The fool who knows his foolishness, is wise at least so far. But a fool who thinks himself wise, he is called a fool indeed.

Plain English · paraphraseA fool who knows he is foolish is wise at least in that. But a fool who thinks himself wise is truly called a fool.

If a fool be associated with a wise man even all his life, he will perceive the truth as little as a spoon perceives the taste of soup.

Plain English · paraphraseIf a fool spends his whole life with a wise person, he will understand the truth as little as a spoon understands the taste of soup.

If an intelligent man be associated for one minute only with a wise man, he will soon perceive the truth, as the tongue perceives the taste of soup.

Plain English · paraphraseIf an intelligent person spends even one minute with a wise person, they will quickly understand the truth, just as the tongue tastes soup.

Fools of little understanding have themselves for their greatest enemies, for they do evil deeds which must bear bitter fruits.

Plain English · paraphrasePeople who lack understanding are their own worst enemies, because they do bad things that lead to painful results.

No, that deed is well done of which a man does not repent, and the reward of which he receives gladly and cheerfully.

As long as the evil deed done does not bear fruit, the fool thinks it is like honey; but when it ripens, then the fool suffers grief.

Let a fool month after month eat his food (like an ascetic) with the tip of a blade of Kusa grass, yet he is not worth the sixteenth particle of those who have well weighed the law.

An evil deed, like newly-drawn milk, does not turn (suddenly); smouldering, like fire covered by ashes, it follows the fool.

Plain English · paraphraseAn evil deed, like newly drawn milk, does not turn suddenly. It smolders, like fire covered by ashes, and follows the fool.

And when the evil deed, after it has become known, brings sorrow to the fool, then it destroys his bright lot, nay, it cleaves his head.

Let the fool wish for a false reputation, for precedence among the Bhikshus, for lordship in the convents, for worship among other people!

Plain English · paraphraseLet the fool desire a false reputation, a position of precedence among the Bhikshus, authority in the monasteries, and worship from others!

"May both the layman and he who has left the world think that this is done by me; may they be subject to me in everything which is to be done or is not to be done," thus is the mind of the fool, and his desire and pride increase.

Plain English · paraphrase"Let both the layperson and the one who has renounced the world believe that this is done by me; let them obey me in everything that should be done or should not be done," this is the thinking of the fool, and his desire and pride grow.

"One is the road that leads to wealth, another the road that leads to Nirvana;" if the Bhikshu, the disciple of Buddha, has learnt this, he will not yearn for honour, he will strive after separation from the world.

Plain English · paraphrase"One road leads to wealth, another to Nirvana. If the Bhikshu, the disciple of Buddha, has learned this, he will not long for honor. He will strive for separation from the world."

Let him admonish, let him teach, let him forbid what is improper! - he will be beloved of the good, by the bad he will be hated.

Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men.

Plain English · paraphraseDo not make evil-doers your friends. Do not make low people your friends. Make virtuous people your friends. Make the best of men your friends.

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

As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, wise people falter not amidst blame and praise.

Plain English · paraphraseLike a solid rock that does not shake in the wind, wise people do not falter in the face of blame or praise.

Wise people, after they have listened to the laws, become serene, like a deep, smooth, and still lake.

Good people walk on whatever befall, the good do not prattle, longing for pleasure; whether touched by happiness or sorrow wise people never appear elated or depressed.

Plain English · paraphraseGood people go on no matter what happens. The good do not talk much or long for pleasure. Whether touched by happiness or sorrow, wise people never seem happy or sad.

If, whether for his own sake, or for the sake of others, a man wishes neither for a son, nor for wealth, nor for lordship, and if he does not wish for his own success by unfair means, then he is good, wise, and virtuous.

Few are there among men who arrive at the other shore (become Arhats); the other people here run up and down the shore.

Plain English · paraphraseFew people reach the other shore (become Arhats). Others run up and down this shore.

But those who, when the law has been well preached to them, follow the law, will pass across the dominion of death, however difficult to overcome.

A wise man should leave the dark state (of ordinary life), and follow the bright state (of the Bhikshu). After going from his home to a homeless state, he should in his retirement look for enjoyment where there seemed to be no enjoyment. Leaving all pleasures behind, and calling nothing his own, the wise man should purge himself from all the troubles of the mind.

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, and who are full of light, are free (even) in this world.

There is no suffering for him who has finished his journey, and abandoned grief, who has freed himself on all sides, and thrown off all fetters.

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.

Plain English · paraphraseThey leave with their thoughts gathered, they are not happy in their home; like swans leaving their lake, they depart from their house and family.

Men who have no riches, who live on recognised food, who have perceived void and unconditioned freedom (Nirvana), their path is difficult to understand, like that of birds in the air.

He whose appetites are stilled, who is not absorbed in enjoyment, who has perceived void and unconditioned freedom (Nirvana), his path is difficult to understand, like that of birds in the air.

The gods even envy him whose senses, like horses well broken in by the driver, have been subdued, who is free from pride, and free from appetites.

The man who is free from credulity, but knows the uncreated, who has cut all ties, removed all temptations, renounced all desires, he is the greatest of men.

In a hamlet or in a forest, in the deep water or on the dry land, wherever venerable persons (Arhanta) dwell, that place is delightful.

Plain English · paraphraseIn a village or in a forest, in deep water or on dry land, wherever respected people (Arhanta) live, that place is pleasant.

Forests are delightful; where the world finds no delight, there the passionless will find delight, for they look not for pleasures.

Even though a speech be a thousand (of words), but made up of senseless words, one word of sense is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet.

Plain English · paraphraseEven if a speech has a thousand words but is full of senseless words, one word with meaning is better. If a man hears it, he becomes quiet.

Even though a Gatha (poem) be a thousand (of words), but made up of senseless words, one word of a Gatha is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet.

Plain English · paraphraseEven if a Gatha (poem) has a thousand words, but they are meaningless, one meaningful word of a Gatha is better. If a man hears it, he becomes quiet.

Though a man recite a hundred Gathas made up of senseless words, one word of the law is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet.

Plain English · paraphraseEven if a man recites a hundred Gathas filled with meaningless words, one word of the law is better. If a man hears it, he becomes quiet.