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Dhammapada
- Dhammapada 19
- The Just
- translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita
256. Not by passing arbitrary judgments does a man become
just; a wise man is he who investigates both right and wrong.
257. He who does not judge others arbitrarily, but passes
judgment impartially according to the truth, that sagacious man is a guardian of law and
is called just.
258. One is not wise because one speaks much. He who is
peaceable, friendly and fearless is called wise.
259. A man is not versed in Dhamma because he speaks much. He
who, after hearing a little Dhamma, realizes its truth directly and is not heedless of it,
is truly versed in the Dhamma. 4
260. A monk is not Elder because his head is gray. He is but
ripe in age, and he is called one grown old in vain.
261. One in whom there is truthfulness, virtue,
inoffensiveness, restraint and self-mastery, who is free from defilements and is wise --
he is truly called an Elder.
262. Not by mere eloquence nor by beauty of form does a man
become accomplished, if he is jealous, selfish and deceitful.
263. But he in whom these are wholly destroyed, uprooted and
extinct, and who has cast out hatred -- that wise man is truly accomplished.
264. Not by shaven head does a man who is indisciplined and
untruthful become a monk. How can he who is full of desire and greed be a monk?
265. He who wholly subdues evil both small and great is called
a monk, because he has overcome all evil.
266. He is not a monk just because he lives on others' alms.
Not by adopting outward form does one become a true monk.
267. Whoever here (in the Dispensation) lives a holy life,
transcending both merit and demerit, and walks with understanding in this world -- he is
truly called a monk.
268. Not by observing silence does one become a sage, if he be
foolish and ignorant. But that man is wise who, as if holding a balance-scale accepts only
the good.
269. The sage (thus) rejecting the evil, is truly a sage.
Since he comprehends both (present and future) worlds, he is called a sage.
270. He is not noble who injures living beings. He is called
noble because he is harmless towards all living beings.
271-272. Not by rules and observances, not even by much
learning, nor by gain of absorption, nor by a life of seclusion, nor by thinking, "I
enjoy the bliss of renunciation, which is not experienced by the worldling" should
you, O monks, rest content, until the utter destruction of cankers (Arahatship) is
reached.