ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 262

Before You Act

An envious greedy, dishonest man does not become respectable by means of much talking only, or by the beauty of his complexion.

Dhammapada 262 · Chapter 19, The Just · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “An envious greedy, dishonest man does not become respectable by means of much talking only, or….” In its chapter, this image points toward justice as conduct rather than status. 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

What promise to yourself deserves to be kept?