PATIENCE · DHAMMAPADA 222
A Pause Before Reaction
He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot, him I call a real driver; other people are but holding the reins.
Dhammapada 222 · Chapter 17, Anger · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot, him I call a real driver.” In its chapter, this image points toward meeting anger without becoming anger. The practical question is whether replaying injury protects you or keeps the injury active. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.
Practice prompt
Put one breath between irritation and response.