The Dhammapada is an
anthology of passages from the Buddhist canon, embodying the spirit of Buddha's
teaching. The selections are from Dr. Radhakrishnan's translation of the Pali original.
Vigilance is the abode of eternal life, thoughtlessness is the abode of death. Those who are vigilant (who are given to reflection) do not die. The thoughtless are as if dead already. (II.1)
Just as a archer makes straight his arrow, the wise man makes straight his trembling, unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard and difficult to hold back (restrain).(III.1)
They who will restrain their thought, which travels far, alone, incorporeal, seated in the cave (of the heart), will be freed from the fetters of death. (III.5)
Not a mother, not a father, nor any other relative will do so much; a well-directed mind will do us greater service. (III.11)
The fool is tormented thinking ‘these sons belong to me’; ‘this wealth belongs to me’. He himself does not belong to himself. How then can sons be his? How can wealth be his? (V.3)
As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, so wise men are not moved amidst blame and praise. (VI.6)
He who, for his own sake or for the sake of another, does not wish for a son or wealth or a kingdom, if he does not wish for his own prosperity by unfair means he certainly is virtuous, wise, and religious. (VI.9)
Those whose minds are well grounded in the (seven) elements of enlightenment, who, without clinging to anything rejoice in freedom from attachment, whose appetites have been conquered, who are full of light, attain nirvana in this world. (VI.14)
If a man were to conquer in battle a thousand times a thousand men, and another conquer one, himself, he indeed is the greatest of conquerors. (VIII.4)
Even a water-pot is filled by the falling of drops of water. A wise man becomes full of goodness even if h e gathers it little by little.
Likening others to oneself one should neither hurt nor cause to hurt. (X.2)
Not nakedness, not matted hair, not dirt (literally mud) , not fasting, not lying on the ground, not rubbing with ashes (literally dust), not sitting motionless purify a mortal who is not free from doubt. (X.13)