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Translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita.
For free distribution only.
221.
One should give up anger, renounce pride, and overcome all fetters. Suffering
never befalls him who clings not to mind and body and is detached.
222.
He who checks rising anger as a charioteer checks a rolling chariot, him I call
a true charioteer. Others only hold the reins.
223.
Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the
miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth.
224.
Speak the truth; yield not to anger; when asked, give even if you only have a
little. By these three means can one reach the presence of the gods.
225.
Those sages who are inoffensive and ever restrained in body, go to the
Deathless State, where, having gone, they grieve no more.
226.
Those who are ever vigilant, who discipline themselves day and night, and are
ever intent upon Nibbana -- their defilements fade away.
227.
O Atula! Indeed, this is an ancient practice, not one only of today: they blame
those who remain silent, they blame those speak much, they blame those who
speak in moderation. There is none in the world who is not blamed.
228.
There never was, there never will be, nor is there now, a person who is wholly
blamed or wholly praised.
229.
But the man whom the wise praise, after observing him day after day, is one of
flawless character, wise, and endowed with knowledge and virtue.
230.
Who can blame such a one, as worthy as a coin of refined gold? Even the gods
praise him; by Brahma, too, is he praised.
231.
Let a man guard himself against irritability in bodily action; let him be
controlled in deed. Abandoning bodily misconduct, let him practice good conduct
in deed.
232.
Let a man guard himself against irritability in speech; let him be controlled
in speech. Abandoning verbal misconduct, let him practice good conduct in
speech.
233.
Let a man guard himself against irritability in thought; let him be controlled
in mind. Abandoning mental misconduct, let him practice good conduct in
thought.
234.
The wise are controlled in bodily action, controlled in speech and controlled
in thought. They are truly well-controlled.
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