WISDOM · DHAMMAPADA 167

One Useful Truth

Do not follow the evil law! Do not live on in thoughtlessness! Do not follow false doctrine! Be not a friend of the world.

Dhammapada 167 · Chapter 13, The World · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “Do not follow the evil law.” In its chapter, this image points toward seeing through distraction and appearance. It locates the turning point before outward action, in the quality of attention you repeatedly cultivate. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.

Practice prompt

What is useful to know in this moment—and what is merely noise?