WISDOM · DHAMMAPADA 67

The View From Clear Seeing

That deed is not well done of which a man must repent, and the reward of which he receives crying and with a tearful face.

Dhammapada 67 · Chapter 5, The Fool · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “That deed is not well done of which a man must repent, and the reward of….” In its chapter, this image points toward humility about what we know. 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

Where might listening teach you more than defending?