Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya » Dhammapada » V19:Dhammatthavagga
Pali Versions : Pali-English version and Pali-Devanagri Version
Source: Adapted from the original translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Dhammatthavagga: The Judge[]
256. To pass judgment hurriedly doesn't mean you're a judge.
257. The wise one, weighing both the right judgment & wrong, judges others impartially -- unhurriedly, in line with the Dhamma, guarding the Dhamma, guarded by Dhamma, intelligent: he's called a judge.
258. Simply talking a lot doesn't mean one is wise. Whoever's secure -- no hostility, fear -- is said to be wise.
259. Simply talking a lot doesn't maintain the Dhamma. Whoever -- although he's heard next to nothing -- sees Dhamma through his body, is not heedless of Dhamma: he's one who maintains the Dhamma.
260. A head of gray hairs doesn't mean one's an elder. Advanced in years, one's called an old fool.
261. But one in whom there is truth, restraint, rectitude, gentleness, self-control -- he's called an elder, his impurities disgorged, enlightened.
262. Not by suave conversation or lotus-like coloring does an envious, miserly cheat become an exemplary man.
263. But one in whom this is cut through up-rooted wiped out -- he's called exemplary, his aversion disgorged, intelligent.
264. A shaven head doesn't mean a contemplative. The liar observing no duties, filled with greed & desire: what kind of contemplative's he?
265. But whoever tunes out the dissonance of his evil qualities -- large or small -- in every way by bringing evil to consonance: he's called a contemplative.
266. Begging from others doesn't mean one's a monk. As long as one follows householders' ways, one is no monk at all.
267. But whoever puts aside both merit & evil and, living the chaste life, judiciously goes through the world: he's called a monk.
268. Not by silence does someone confused & unknowing turn into a sage.
269. But whoever -- wise, as if holding the scales, taking the excellent -- rejects evil deeds: he is a sage, that's how he's a sage. Whoever can weigh both sides of the world: that's how he's called a sage.
270. Not by harming life does one become noble. One is termed noble for being gentle to all living things.
271. Monk, don't on account of your precepts & practices, great erudition, concentration attainments, secluded dwelling, or the thought, 'I touch the renunciate ease that run-of-the-mill people don't know':
272. Ever let yourself get complacent when the ending of effluents is still unattained.