ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 317
Integrity in Action
They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to fear, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path.
Dhammapada 317 · Chapter 22, The Downward Course · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to….” In its chapter, this image points toward actions and the consequences they set in motion. The path image makes wisdom active: direction matters, and the next step is more useful than an idealized destination. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.
Practice prompt
Before speaking, ask whether your words are true and useful.