This world is dark, few only can see here; a
Categories: Chapter XIIIBooks: Dhammapada
This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to
heaven, like birds escaped from the net
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They who imagine truth in untruth, and see untruth in
They who imagine truth in untruth, and see untruth in truth, never arrive at truth, but follow vain desires ... They who know me are few, and I am on
They who know me are few, and I am on that account (the more) to be prized It is thus that the sage wears (a poor garb of) hair cloth, while he carries his (signet of) jade in his bosom ... They who know truth in truth, and untruth in untruth,
They who know truth in truth, and untruth in untruth, arrive at truth, and follow true desires ... They who know what is forbidden as forbidden, and what
They who know what is forbidden as forbidden, and what is not forbidden as not forbidden, such men, embracing the true doctrine, enter the good path The Elephant ... They who preserve this method of the Tao do not
They who preserve this method of the Tao do not wish to be full (of themselves) It is through their not being full of themselves that they can afford to seem worn and not appear new and complete ... Thirst
The thirst of a thoughtless man grows like a creeper; he runs from life to life, like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest. Whomsoever this fierce poisonous thirst overcomes, in this world, his sufferings increase like the abounding Birana grass... This body is wasted, full of sickness, and frail; this
This body is wasted, full of sickness, and frail; this heap of corruption breaks to pieces, life indeed ends in death ... This honouring of the Tao and exalting of its operation
This honouring of the Tao and exalting of its operation is not the result of any ordination, but always a spontaneous tribute ... This is an old saying, O Atula, this is not
This is an old saying, O Atula, this is not only of to-day: `They blame him who sits silent, they blame him who speaks much, they also blame him who says little; there is no one on earth who is not blamed' ... This is the way, there is no other that leads
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) ... This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it
This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the rider who holds the hook holds in the furious elephant ... This salutary word I tell you, `Do ye, as many
This salutary word I tell you, `Do ye, as many as are here assembled, dig up the root of thirst, as he who wants the sweet- scented Usira root must dig up the Birana grass, that Mara (the tempter) may not crush you again and again, as the stream crushe... This world is dark, few only can see here; a
This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to heaven, like birds escaped from the net ... Those three methods (of government) Thought olden ways
Those three methods (of government) Thought olden ways in elegance did fail And made these names their want of worth to veil; But simple views, and courses plain and true Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew ... Those white bones, like gourds thrown away in the autumn,
Those white bones, like gourds thrown away in the autumn, what pleasure is there in looking at them? ... Those who are advanced in earnestness, having understood this clearly, delight
Those who are advanced in earnestness, having understood this clearly, delight in earnestness, and rejoice in the knowledge of the Ariyas (the elect) ... Those who are ever watchful, who study day and night,
Those who are ever watchful, who study day and night, and who strive after Nirvana, their passions will come to an end ... Those who are slaves to passions, run down with the
Those who are slaves to passions, run down with the stream (of desires), as a spider runs down the web which he has made himself; when they have cut this, at last, wise people leave the world free from cares, leaving all affection behind ... Those who bridle their mind which travels far, moves about
Those who bridle their mind which travels far, moves about alone, is without a body, and hides in the chamber (of the heart), will be free from the bonds of Mara (the tempter) ... Those whose mind is well grounded in the (seven) elements
Those whose mind is well grounded in the (seven) elements of knowledge, who without clinging to anything, rejoice in freedom from attachment, whose appetites have been conquered, and who are full of light, are free (even) in this world The Venerab... Thou art now like a sear leaf, the messengers of
Thou art now like a sear leaf, the messengers of death (Yama) have come near to thee; thou standest at the door of thy departure, and thou hast no provision for thy journey ... Though a man recite a hundred Gathas made up of
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 ... Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the
Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him ... Though they had boats and carriages, they should have no
Though they had boats and carriages, they should have no occasion to ride in them; though they had buff coats and sharp weapons, they should have no occasion to don or use them ...