Dhammapada
Books
Buddhanet version is freely available online.
Translation by Ekanath Easwaran
Selected verses
Verse 1 - Suffering is Mind-made
Mind is the forerunner of (all evil) states. Mind is chief; and they are mind-made. If one speaks or acts with a corrupt mind, suffering follows as the wheel follows the hoof of the ox.
Verse 2 - Happiness is Mind-made
Mind is the forerunner of (all good) states. Mind is chief, and they are mind-made. If one speaks or acts with pure mind, happienss follows as one's own shadow that never leaves.
Verse 33 - Straighten the Fickle Mind
The flickering, fickle mind, difficult to guard, difficult to control - the wise person straightens it as a fletcher straightens an arrow.
Verse 36 - Guard the Mind well
The mind is very hard to perceive, extrmely subtle, flits wheverer it lists. Let the wise person guard it; a guarded mind is conducive to happiness.
Verse 47 - Sensualities are swept away by death
The man who gathers flowers (of sensual pleasure), whose mind is distracted, death carries off as a great flood sweeps away a sleeping village.
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