WISDOM · DHAMMAPADA 173

Knowing What You Do Not Know

He whose evil deeds are covered by good deeds, brightens up this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.

Dhammapada 173 · Chapter 13, The World · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “He whose evil deeds are covered by good deeds, brightens up this world, like the moon….” In its chapter, this image points toward seeing through distraction and appearance. 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

What assumption could you hold more lightly today?