ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 312

Before You Act

An act carelessly performed, a broken vow, and hesitating obedience to discipline, all this brings no great reward.

Dhammapada 312 · Chapter 22, The Downward Course · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “An act carelessly performed, a broken vow, and hesitating obedience to discipline, all this brings no….” In its chapter, this image points toward actions and the consequences they set in motion. 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?