Text
Collection of Minor Texts Verses of Dhamma Chapter of Thousands Rather than a thousand sayings not connected to the goal, it is better to have just one sentence about the goal if one reaches peace after hearing it. Rather than a thousand poems not connected to the goal, it is better to have just one line of a poem if one reaches peace after hearing it. One might utter a hundred poems not connected to the goal; it is better to have just one line of Dhamma if one reaches peace after hearing it. One might subjugate a million people in battle, but one who subjugates oneself has won the ultimate victory. It is better to subjugate yourself than other people, for one who is self-trained always acts with restraint. No angel or fairy, demon or god, can turn such a person’s victory into defeat. Every month one might conduct a hundred sacrifices worth thousands; Or for a single moment one could pay homage to a self-developed person. That homage is better than a hundred years of sacrifices. One might spend a hundred years tending to a fire in a forest; or for a single moment one could pay homage to a self-developed person. That homage is better than a hundred years of sacrifices. One could make any kind of offering or sacrifice in the world for a year, pursuing merit; but all of that is not even a quarter as good as honoring those who are upright. For one who is virtuous, respectful, and always reverential towards the elderly, four things increase: vitality, beauty, pleasure, and strength. Better than living for a hundred years without virtue and concentration, is living for one day as a virtuous meditator. Better than living for a hundred years without wisdom and concentration, is living for one day as a wise meditator. Better than living for a hundred years with laziness and indolence, is living for one day with determination and resolve. Better than living for a hundred years without seeing arising and vanishing, is living for one day while seeing arising and vanishing. Better than living for a hundred years without seeing the path to the deathless, is living for one day while seeing the path to the deathless. Better than living for a hundred years without seeing the ultimate truth, is living for one day while seeing the ultimate truth.