Dhammapada - Chapter 19: Dhammatthavagga - The Just
- fdg sc Translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita.
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256Not by passing arbitrary judgments does a man become just; a wise man is he who investigates both right and wrong. |
257He 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. |
258One is not wise because one speaks much. He who is peaceable, friendly and fearless is called wise. |
259A 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. |
260A monk is not an elder because his head is gray. He is but ripe in age, and he is called one grown old in vain. |
261One 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. |
262Not by mere eloquence nor by beauty of form does a man become accomplished, if he is jealous, selfish and deceitful. |
263But he in whom these are wholly destroyed, uprooted and extinct, and who has cast out hatred — that wise man is truly accomplished. |
264Not 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? |
265He who wholly subdues evil both small and great is called a monk, because he has overcome all evil. |
266He is not a monk just because he lives on others’ alms. Not by adopting outward form does one become a true monk. |
267Whoever 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. |
268Not 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. |
269The sage (thus) rejecting the evil, is truly a sage. Since he comprehends both (present and future) worlds, he is called a sage. |
270He is not noble who injures living beings. He is called noble because he is harmless towards all living beings. |
271–272Not 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 (Arahantship) is reached. |