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.