Dhammapada (Version 2)

<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"></SPAN></p> <br/> <h2> Chapter VIII. The Thousands </h2> <p>100. Even though a speech be a thousand (of words), but made up of senseless words, one word of sense is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet.</p> <p>101. Even though a Gatha (poem) be a thousand (of words), but made up of senseless words, one word of a Gatha is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet.</p> <p>102. Though a man recite a hundred Gathas made up of senseless words, one word of the law is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet.</p> <p>103. If one man conquer in battle a thousand times thousand men, and if another conquer himself, he is the greatest of conquerors.</p> <p>104, 105. One's own self conquered is better than all other people; not even a god, a Gandharva, not Mara with Brahman could change into defeat the victory of a man who has vanquished himself, and always lives under restraint.</p> <p>106. If a man for a hundred years sacrifice month after month with a thousand, and if he but for one moment pay homage to a man whose soul is grounded (in true knowledge), better is that homage than sacrifice for a hundred years.</p> <p>107. If a man for a hundred years worship Agni (fire) in the forest, and if he but for one moment pay homage to a man whose soul is grounded (in true knowledge), better is that homage than sacrifice for a hundred years.</p> <p>108. Whatever a man sacrifice in this world as an offering or as an oblation for a whole year in order to gain merit, the whole of it is not worth a quarter (a farthing); reverence shown to the righteous is better.</p> <p>109. He who always greets and constantly reveres the aged, four things will increase to him, viz. life, beauty, happiness, power.</p> <p>110. But he who lives a hundred years, vicious and unrestrained, a life of one day is better if a man is virtuous and reflecting.</p> <p>111. And he who lives a hundred years, ignorant and unrestrained, a life of one day is better if a man is wise and reflecting.</p> <p>112. And he who lives a hundred years, idle and weak, a life of one day is better if a man has attained firm strength.</p> <p>113. And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing beginning and end, a life of one day is better if a man sees beginning and end.</p> <p>114. And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing the immortal place, a life of one day is better if a man sees the immortal place.</p> <p>115. And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing the highest law, a life of one day is better if a man sees the highest law.</p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />