ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 313

Living Without Remorse

If anything is to be done, let a man do it, let him attack it vigorously! A careless pilgrim only scatters the dust of his passions more widely.

Dhammapada 313 · Chapter 22, The Downward Course · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “If anything is to be done, let a man do it, let him attack it vigorously.” 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

Choose the action you would be comfortable remembering tonight.