Theragāthā 172

Verses of the Senior Monks 3.3

The Book of the Threes

Chapter One

Bakkula

1 Whoever wishes to do afterwards

what they should have done before

has lost the causes for happiness,

and afterwards they’re tormented by regrets.

2 You should only say what you would do;

you shouldn’t say what you wouldn’t do.

The wise will recognize

one who talks without doing.

3 Oh! Extinguishment is so very blissful,

as taught by the fully awakened Buddha:

sorrowless, stainless, secure,

where suffering all ceases.