Book VIII. Thousands, Sahassa Vagga

100

Though a speech consist of a thousand words, if the sentences lack meaning,
Better were a single sentence full of meaning, which if a man hear, he is at peace.

101

Though a Stanza consist of a thousand words, if the sentences lack meaning,
Better were a single sentence of a Stanza, which if a man hear he is at peace.

102-103

Though one should recite a hundred Stanzas composed of meaningless sentences,
Yet one Sentence of the Law were better, which if a man hear he is at peace.

Though one should conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle,
Yet would he be the mightiest conqueror who should conquer one, himself.

104, 105

Victory over self is better than victory over all other folk besides;
If a man conquer self, and live always under restraint,

Neither god nor gandhabba nor Māra with Brahmā united,
Can turn into defeat the victory of such a man.

106

Though a man, month after month, for a hundred years, should sacrifice a thousand pieces of money,
Yet, should he honor for even a single instant a man who has trained himself,
It were better for him so to render honor than to offer sacrifice for a hundred years.

107

Though a man for a hundred years should tend the sacrificial fire in the forest,
Yet, should he honor for even a single instant a man who has trained himself,
It were better for him so to render honor than to offer sacrifice for a hundred years.

108

Whatsoever, either by way of sacrificial slaughter or by way of oblation,
Though it be for a year, a man sacrifice, desiring merit,
All that comes not to the value of a fourth part;
If a man have the habit of reverence.

109

If a man have the habit of reverence, if he alway respect the aged.
Four things increase for him: age, beauty, happiness, power.

110

Though one should live a hundred years, corrupt, not meditating,
Yet were it better to live a single day in the practice of virtue, in meditation.

111

Though one should live a hundred years, unwise, not meditating,
Yet were it better to live a single day possessed of wisdom, in meditation.

112

Though one should live a hundred years, idle, listless,
Yet were it better to live for a single day, and strive with might and main.

113

Though one should live a hundred years, ‘twere all in vain,
Did one not see that all that is doth wax and wane;
Instead, ‘twere better far to live a single day,
And know that all the world contains doth rise and pass away.

114

Though one should live a hundred years, the region of the deathless never seeing,
’Twould be in vain; instead, ‘twould better be
To live a single day, the region of the deathless seeing.

115

Though one should live a hundred years, did he not behold the Law Supreme,
It were better that he live but a single day and behold the Law Supreme.