ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 242
Integrity in Action
Bad conduct is the taint of woman, greediness the taint of a benefactor; tainted are all evil ways in this world and in the next.
Dhammapada 242 · Chapter 18, Impurity · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “Bad conduct is the taint of woman, greediness the taint of a benefactor.” In its chapter, this image points toward cleaning up conduct and intention. Its value is practical when it changes how you meet one choice, relationship, or difficult feeling today. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.
Practice prompt
Before speaking, ask whether your words are true and useful.