SELF-KNOWLEDGE · DHAMMAPADA 16
Learning From Cause and Effect
The virtuous man delights in this world, and he delights in the next; he delights in both. He delights and rejoices, when he sees the purity of his own work.
Dhammapada 16 · Chapter 1, The Twin-Verses · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “The virtuous man delights in this world, and he delights in the next.” In its chapter, this image points toward intention and the way thought conditions action. Read goodness here as a trainable direction—choices that reduce harm and leave less residue of regret. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.
Practice prompt
Pause before one ordinary action and name the state of mind behind it.