ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 240
A Life You Need Not Regret
As the impurity which springs from the iron, when it springs from it, destroys it; thus do a transgressor's own works lead him to the evil path.
Dhammapada 240 · Chapter 18, Impurity · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “As the impurity which springs from the iron, when it springs from it, destroys it.” In its chapter, this image points toward cleaning up conduct and intention. The path image makes wisdom active: direction matters, and the next step is more useful than an idealized destination. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.
Practice prompt
Notice one small action that points your life in a direction.