The Dhammapada
§ About this work
The Dhammapada proceeds through numbered chapters of verses. It opens with "The Twin-Verses," pairing evil and pure thought and contrasting those whom Mâra overthrows with those he cannot, before Chapter II sets earnestness as the path of immortality, citing Maghavan (Indra). "Thought" (III) and the chapter on flowers (IV) liken the mind to a straightened arrow and the sage to a bee, while chapters on the fool (V) and "The Wise Man" (VI) contrast the two. "The Venerable (Arhat)" (VII) and the chapter on thousands (VIII) exalt self-conquest and one meaningful word; chapters on evil (IX) and "Punishment" (X) trace how deeds ripen and warn against killing. "Old Age" (XI), "Self" (XII), and "The World" (XIII) turn to the frail body and self-mastery. "The Buddha (The Awakened)" (XIV) declares the trackless Awakened and names refuge in Buddha, the Law, and the Church. "Happiness" (XV) and the chapter on pleasure (XVI) praise living without hatred and warn that grief arises from affection. "Anger" (XVII) addresses Atula; "Impurity" (XVIII) names ignorance the greatest taint; "The Just" (XIX) distinguishes true elders and Samanas. The chapter on the way (XX) names the eightfold path and states the Tathâgatas only preach. "Miscellaneous" (XXI) invokes the disciples of Gotama; the chapter on the evil way (XXII) sends liars to hell; the elephant chapter (XXIII) praises self-taming; the chapter on thirst (XXIV) urges digging up craving's root; the Bhikshu chapter (XXV) commends restraint. The closing "Brâhmana" chapter (XXVI) repeatedly defines the true Brâhmana by conduct rather than birth.
Verse 60 states night is long to the wakeful, a mile long to the tired, life long to the foolish. Verse 61 advises a traveller lacking a better or equal to journey alone. Verse 62 describes a fool tormented by claims to sons and wealth. Verse 63 contrasts the fool who knows his foolishness with one thinking himself wise. Verses 64–65 compare a fool and an intelligent man associating with a wise man, like a spoon and a tongue tasting soup. Verses 66–72 describe fools as their own enemies and the fruiting of evil deeds. Verses 73–75 describe the fool's desire for reputation and lordship, and the Bhikshu striving after separation.
Chapter V, Section 1aChapter V, Section 1b