17. The Chapter about Self (PDHP306-326)

Patna Dhammapada

17. The Chapter about Self

The one who has an exceeding lack of virtue, like a deadly creeper covering a Sal tree,

makes himself the same as his enemy wishes him to be.

That wickedness done by oneself, born in oneself, arising in oneself,

crushes the one who is stupid, as a diamond crushes a rock-jewel.

By oneself alone is a wicked deed done, by oneself is one defiled,

by oneself is a wicked deed left undone, by oneself is one purified,

purity and impurity come from oneself, for no one purify another.

Not the wrongs of others, or what others have done or have not done

one should consider, but what has been done and not done by oneself.

Not the wrongs of others, or what is just and unjust for others

one should consider, but what is just and unjust for oneself.

If one regards oneself as dear one should guard oneself right well,

for happiness is not easy to gain by those who do wrong.

If one regards oneself as dear one should guard oneself right well,

during one of the three watches of the night the wise one should stay alert.

Sitting alone, lying down alone, walking alone, diligent,

the solitary one who delights in himself will delight in the edge of a forest.

Whoever reviles the worthy teaching of the Noble Ones who live by Dhamma,

that stupid one, depending on wicked views,

makes himself the same as his enemy wishes him to be.

Whoever reviles the worthy teaching of the Noble Ones who live by Dhamma,

that stupid one, depending on wicked views,

like the bamboo when it bears fruit, brings about his own destruction.

First one should establish oneself in the good and the Dhamma,

then one can advise another, saying: ‘You must be as I am’.

First one should commit oneself to what is suitable,

then when advising another, the wise one should not have any defilement.

He should do himself as he would advise another to do,

being untrained, he should surely train himself, for it is said the self is difficult to train.

A tamed self is better than that of other people,

for the person who conquers himself, who lives always well-restrained,

neither gods, nor gandhabbas, nor Māra together with Brahmās,

can turn conquest into defeat for a person who is like this.

For the self is the friend of self, for what other friend would there be?

When the self is well-practiced, one finds a friend that is hard to find.

Self is the protector of self, self is the refuge of self,

therefore one should restrain oneself, as a merchant restrains his noble horse.

One should tame oneself always, that will be for a good destiny,

be tamed, be peaceful, be upright, and from that be honest,

then, tamed, be happy, unattached and cooled down.

By oneself one should censure self, by oneself one should be controlled,

he who guards himself, mindful, will live happily, monastic.

One should not neglect one’s own good for another’s, however great;

knowing further what is good for oneself should be the supreme good.

Not for one’s own sake and not for another’s sake, not desiring heaven, riches, or a kingdom—

he should not desire his success through corruption; he should be both virtuous and wise and righteous.

The Chapter about Self