ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 244

Goodness Drop by Drop

Life is easy to live for a man who is without shame, a crow hero, a mischief-maker, an insulting, bold, and wretched fellow.

Dhammapada 244 · Chapter 18, Impurity · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “Life is easy to live for a man who is without shame, a crow hero, a….” In its chapter, this image points toward cleaning up conduct and intention. Rather than using change to create fear, the passage can sharpen tenderness for a life that cannot be held still. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.

Practice prompt

Repair one small harm rather than explaining it away.