ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 246

Living Without Remorse

He who destroys life, who speaks untruth, who in this world takes what is not given him, who goes to another man's wife;

Dhammapada 246 · Chapter 18, Impurity · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “He who destroys life, who speaks untruth, who in this world takes what is not given….” In its chapter, this image points toward cleaning up conduct and intention. It treats speech as an action with consequences, asking for truth and care before a reaction becomes language. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.

Practice prompt

Choose the action you would be comfortable remembering tonight.