Theragāthā 229

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Verses of the Senior Monks 8.1

The Book of the Eights

Chapter One

Mahākaccāna

1 Don’t get involved in lots of work,

avoid people, and don’t try to acquire things.

If you’re eager and greedy for flavors,

you’ll miss the goal that brings such happiness.

2 They know it really is a bog,

this homage and veneration in respectable families.

Honor is a subtle dart, hard to extract,

and hard for a reprobate to give up.

3 The deeds of a mortal aren’t bad

because of what others do.

You yourself should not do bad,

for mortals have deeds as their kin.

4 You’re not a bandit because of what someone says,

you’re not a sage because of what someone says;

but as you know yourself,

so the gods will know you.

5 When others do not understand,

let us, who do understand this,

restrain ourselves in this regard;

for that is how conflicts are laid to rest.

6 A wise person lives on

even after loss of wealth;

but without gaining wisdom,

even a rich person doesn’t really live.

7 All is heard with the ear,

all is seen with the eye;

the attentive ought not discard

all that is seen and heard.

8 Though you have eyes, be as if blind;

though you have ears, be as if deaf;

though you have wisdom, be as if dumb;

though you have strength, be as if feeble.

And when issues come up

lie as still as a corpse.