Chapter X11
The Self
157. If a man hold himself dear, let him watch himself carefully;
during one at least out of the three watches a wise man should be
watchful.158. Let each man direct himself first to what is proper, then let him
teach others; thus a wise man will not suffer.159. If a man make himself as he teaches others to be, then, being
himself well subdued, he may subdue (others); one's own self is indeed
difficult to subdue.160. Self is the lord of self, who else could be the lord? With self
well subdued, a man finds a lord such as few can find.161. The evil done by oneself, self-begotten, self-bred, crushes the
foolish, as a diamond breaks a precious stone.162. He whose wickedness is very great brings himself down to that
state where his enemy wishes him to be, as a creeper does with the
tree which it surrounds.163. Bad deeds, and deeds hurtful to ourselves, are easy to do; what
is beneficial and good, that is very difficult to do.164. The foolish man who scorns the rule of the venerable (Arahat), of
the elect (Ariya), of the virtuous, and follows false doctrine, he
bears fruit to his own destruction, like the fruits of the Katthaka
reed.165. By oneself the evil is done, by oneself one suffers; by oneself
evil is left undone, by oneself one is purified. Purity and impurity
belong to oneself, no one can purify another.166. Let no one forget his own duty for the sake of another's, however
great; let a man, after he has discerned his own duty, be always
attentive to his duty.Chapter XX
The Way
273. The best of ways is the eightfold; the best of truths the four
words; the best of virtues passionlessness; the best of men he who has
eyes to see.274. This is the way, there is no other that leads to the purifying of
intelligence. Go on this way! Everything else is the deceit of Mara
(the tempter).275. If you go on this way, you will make an end of pain! The way was
preached by me, when I had understood the removal of the thorns (in
the flesh).276. You yourself must make an effort. The Tathagatas (Buddhas) are
only preachers. The thoughtful who enter the way are freed from the
bondage of Mara.277. `All created things perish,' he who knows and sees this becomes
passive in pain; this is the way to purity.278. `All created things are grief and pain,' he who knows and sees
this becomes passive in pain; this is the way that leads to purity.279. `All forms are unreal,' he who knows and sees this becomes
passive in pain; this is the way that leads to purity.280. He who does not rouse himself when it is time to rise, who,
though young and strong, is full of sloth, whose will and thought are
weak, that lazy and idle man will never find the way to knowledge.281. Watching his speech, well restrained in mind, let a man never
commit any wrong with his body! Let a man but keep these three roads
of action clear, and he will achieve the way which is taught by the
wise.282. Through zeal knowledge is gotten, through lack of zeal knowledge
is lost; let a man who knows this double path of gain and loss thus
place himself that knowledge may grow.283. Cut down the whole forest (of lust), not a tree only! Danger
comes out of the forest (of lust). When you have cut down both the
forest (of lust) and its undergrowth, then, Bhikshus, you will be rid
of the forest and free!284. So long as the love of man towards women, even the smallest, is
not destroyed, so long is his mind in bondage, as the calf that drinks
milk is to its mother.285. Cut out the love of self, like an autumn lotus, with thy hand!
Cherish the road of peace. Nirvana has been shown by Sugata (Buddha).286. `Here I shall dwell in the rain, here in winter and summer,' thus
the fool meditates, and does not think of his death.287. Death comes and carries off that man, praised for his children
and flocks, his mind distracted, as a flood carries off a sleeping
village.288. Sons are no help, nor a father, nor relations; there is no help
from kinsfolk for one whom death has seized.289. A wise and good man who knows the meaning of this, should quickly
clear the way that leads to Nirvana.