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THE BUDDHIST WAY OF LIFE
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As rain does not break through a well-thatched house, passion will not break through a well-reflecting mind.
This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased ; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the Elder who holds the hook holds the furious elephant.
It is good to tame the mind, which is difficult to hold in and tightly, rushing wherever it listeth; a tamed mind brings happiness.
Those who bridle their mind which travels far, will be free from the bonds of temptation.
If a man’s faith is unsteady, if he does not know the true Dhamma, if his peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect.
Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a wrongly directed mind will do him greater mischief.
Not a mother, not a father will do so much, nor any other relatives as a well directed mind will do us.
§ 9. On Vigilance, Earnestness and Boldness
When, vigilant, the wise man puts from him negligence, ascending the tower of wisdom he looks down, free from sorrow, upon the sorrow-laden race of mankind. As from a mountain top, the wise man looks upon the fools in the valley.
Vigilant among the negligent, awake among those asleep, as a fleet courser leaves behind a sorry nag, so go the wise.
Give not yourselves unto negligence. Have naught to do with the lust of the flesh. The vigilant is given to meditation.
Earnestness leads to where death is not; heedlessness is the way to death. Those who continue in earnestness do not die, but the heedless are as if already dead.
Fall not away from your purpose for the
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