Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya »
Dhammapada
- Dhammapada 17
- Anger
- translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita
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.