1
This
situation does not occur, Cunda, when one sunk into mud will by himself pull out another
who is sunk into mud. But this situation occurs, Cunda, when one not sunk into mud will by
himself pull out another who is sunk into mud.
This situation does not occur, Cunda, when one
who is not tamed, not trained, not utterly quenched, will by himself tame, train, make
another utterly quenched. But this situation occurs, Cunda, when one who is tamed,
trained, utterly quenched, will by himself tame, train, make another utterly quenched (Majjhima-Nikaaya
I. 45; Middle Length Saying I. 56).
2
Some monk here is very
gentle, very meek, very tranquil so long as disagreeble ways of speech do not assail him.
But when disagreeable ways of speech assail the monk it is then that he is to be called
gentle, is to be called meek, is to be called tranquil (Majjhima-Nikaaya I. 126; Middle
Length Saying I. 163).
3
- Life to its doom is led. Our gears are few.
- Led to decay, for us no shelters stand,
- Whoso doth contemplate this fear of death,
- Let him so act that merit brings him bliss.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 2; Kindred Saying I. 4).
4
- The hours pass by. Nights drive us ever on.
- Stages of life in turn abandon us.
- Whoso doth contemplate this fear of death,
- Let him reject the bait of all the worlds,
- Let him aspire after the final peace.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 3; Kindred Saying I. 4).
5
- They make no lamentation o’er the past,
- They yearn not after that which is not come,
- By what now is do they maintain themselves;
- Hence comes it that they look serene of hue.
- By yearning after that which is not come,
- By making lamentation o’er the past,
- Hence comes it that the foolish wither up
- E’en as a tender reed by sickle shorn.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 5; Kindred Saying I. 8).
6
- Not on all sides should mind be held in check.
- Restrain it not if self-control be won.
- But whence soever evil things do rise,
- Thence should the mind be curbed and held in check.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 14; Kindred Saying I.
21).
7
- Not if he merely talk or simply hear,
- Shall he avail to make advance herein.
- A hard and strenuous course is this, whereby
- The strong in spirit liberation find
- In contemplative work from Maara’s toils.
- Not thus in sooth it is they do who strong
- In spirit know the methods of the world,
- And knowing, have attained Nibbaana here,
- Safe crossing o’er where all the world sticks fast.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 24; Kindred Saying I.
34).
8
- He giveth strength who giveth food;
- Who giveth gear gives comeliness;
- He giveth sight who giveth lamp;
- And he it is gives happiness
- Who giveth vehicles; whoso
- Doth give a dwelling giveth all.
- Who in the Norm doth give instruction, this
- Giveth Ambrosia [undying bliss].
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 32; Kindred Saying I.
43).
9
- Goodwill, and wisdom, mind by method trained,
- The highest conduct on good morals based:--
- This maketh mortals pure, not rank nor wealth.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 33; Kindred Saying I.
46).
10
- -- What by the
absence of decay brings luck?
- What base and stay’s of happy augury?
- What is the precious jewel of mankind?
- And what is it that thieves should bear away?
- -- Good morals bring us luck that ne’er decays,
- Faith well-established doth good fortune bring,
- Wisdom’s the precious jewel of mankind,
- Merit it is that thieves should bear away.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 36; Kindred Saying I.
51).
11
- Escort’s a good friend to the wayfarer,
- Mother’s the good friend dwelling in the home,
- A comrade’s help where there has risen need,
- Is a good friend again and yet again,
- And meritorious deeds wrought by one’s self:--
- That is a good friend in the life to come.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 37; Kindred Saying I.
51f).
12
- In that "rough path" non-Ariyans headlong fall;
- To Ariyans the way is even. They
- Walk in the uneven with an even stride.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 48; Kindred Saying I.
69).
13
- Man’s merits and the sins he here hath wrought:--
- That is the thing he owns, that takes he hence,
- That dogs his steps, like shadow in pursuit.
- Hence let him make good store for life elsewhere.
- Sure platform in some other future world,
- Rewards of virtue on good beings wait.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 72; Kindred Saying I.
98).
14
It is by life in common
with a person, that we learn his moral character; it is by converse with another, that we
learn whether he is pure-minded; it is in time of trouble, that we learn to know a
man’s fortitude; it is by intercourse, that we learn to know a man’s wisdom, and
then only after a long interval, if we pay good heed and are not heedless, if we have
insight and are not unintelligent. (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 78; Kindred Saying
I. 105).
15
- Conquest engenders hate; the conquered lives
- In misery. But whoso is at peace
- And passionless, happily doth he live;
- Conquest hath he abandoned and defeat.
- (Sa"myutta-Nikaaya I. 83; Kindred Saying I.
109f).