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, al...
Not by tonsure does an undisciplined man who speaks falsehood become a Samana; can a man be a Samana who is still held captive by desire and greediness?
Do not follow the evil law! Do not live on in thoughtlessness! Do not follow false doctrine! Be not a friend of the world
Better it would be to swallow a heated iron ball, like flaring fire, than that a bad unrestrained fellow should live on the charity of the land
I would make the people return to the use of knotted cords (instead of the written characters)
The study of religion, like the study of poetry, brings us face to face with the fundamental principles of human nature. Religion, whether it be natural religion or that which is f...
The fool who knows his foolishness, is wise at least so far But a fool who thinks himself wise, he is called a fool indeed
For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love, this is an old rule
He whose wickedness is very great brings himself down to that state where his enemy wishes him to be, as a creeper does with the tree which it surrounds
No one should attack a Brahmana, but no Brahmana (if attacked) should let himself fly at his aggressor! Woe to him who strikes a Brahmana, more woe to him who flies at his aggresso...
The evil-doer mourns in this world, and he mourns in the next; he mourns in both He mourns and suffers when he sees the evil of his own work
0 In a little state with a small population, I would so order it, that, though there were individuals with the abilities of ten or a hundred men, there should be no employment of t...
He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and rule Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call the mysterious excellence (of a governor) Deep and...
He in whom that feeling is destroyed, and taken out with the very root, finds rest by day and by night
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who, even here, knows the end of his suffering, has put down his burden, and is unshackled
The man who wears dirty raiments, who is emaciated and covered with veins, who lives alone in the forest, and meditates, him I call indeed a Brahmana
There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one's lot; no fault greater than the wish to be getting Therefore the sufficie...
This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to heaven, like birds escaped from the net
He who has in himself abundantly the attributes (of the Tao) is like an infant Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts will not seize him; birds of prey will not strike...
Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in its (previous) meanness, and what is lofty finds its stability in the lowness (from which it rises) Hence princes and kings call th...
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who has left what gives pleasure and what gives pain, who is cold, and free from all germs (of renewed life), the hero who has conquered all the worlds
Beware of the anger of the tongue, and control thy tongue! Leave the sins of the tongue, and practise virtue with thy tongue!
They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to fear, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path
Four things does a wreckless man gain who covets his neighbour's wife,--a bad reputation, an uncomfortable bed, thirdly, punishment, and lastly, hell
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who is free from anger, dutiful, virtuous, without appetite, who is subdued, and has received his last body
The things which from of old have got the One (the Tao) are-- Heaven which by it is bright and pure; Earth rendered thereby firm and sure; Spirits with powers by it supplied; Valle...
As soon as he has considered the origin and destruction of the elements (khandha) of the body, he finds happiness and joy which belong to those who know the immortal (Nirvana)
It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a man walk alone, let him commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest
The course and nature of things is such that What was in front is now behind; What warmed anon we freezing find Strength is of weakness oft the spoil; The store in ruins mocks our...
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who has cut the strap and the thong, the chain with all that pertains to it, who has burst the bar, and is awakened