Chapter 17

Let one give up anger, renounce conceit, (and) overcome all fetters. Suffering does not befall him who is unattached to name-and-form (nāmarūpa: i.e., psychophysical existence), (and) who is without (material or mental) possessions (akiñcana).

I call him a charioteer who holds back the arisen anger as though (holding back) a swerving chariot. Others are only holders of reins.

Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked with good. Overcome the miserly by giving, the teller of lies with truth.

Speak the truth; do not get angry; give your mite to those who ask (for alms). On these three grounds one goes into the presence of the gods.

Those silent sages who are harmless (ahiṃsaka-s) and always (self-)controlled go to the Immoveable Abode, whither having gone they do not grieve.

They come to the end of (their) defilements (āsava-s), those who keep awake, who study day and night, (and) who are intent on Nirvāṇa.

This is an old story, Atula, not just one of today. They blame him who is taciturn; they blame him who is talkative; they even blame him who speaks in moderation. There is no one in the world who is not blamed.

There has not been, nor will there be, nor is there anyone now, who is absolutely blamed or absolutely praised.

Who is entitled to blame that man who is like (a coin of) Jambunada gold, a man who is praised by the wise, by those who have tested him day by day; one who is free from faults, a man of understanding, (and) whose wisdom and understanding are (well) integrated? Even the gods praise such a man. By Brahmā, too, is he praised.

Who is entitled to blame that man who is like (a coin of) Jambunada gold, a man who is praised by the wise, by those who have tested him day by day; one who is free from faults, a man of understanding, (and) whose wisdom and understanding are (well) integrated? Even the gods praise such a man. By Brahmā, too, is he praised.

Be on your guard against bodily agitation; be controlled in body. Giving up bodily misconduct, live well behaved as regards the body.

Be on your guard against verbal agitation; be controlled in speech. Giving up verbal misconduct, live well behaved as regards speech.

Be on your guard against mental agitation; be controlled in mind. Giving up mental misconduct, live well behaved as regards the mind.

They are the perfectly restrained ones, the wise who are controlled in body and speech, (together with) the wise who are controlled as regards the mind.