WISDOM · DHAMMAPADA 68

One Useful Truth

No, that deed is well done of which a man does not repent, and the reward of which he receives gladly and cheerfully.

Dhammapada 68 · Chapter 5, The Fool · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “No, that deed is well done of which a man does not repent, and the reward….” 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

What is useful to know in this moment—and what is merely noise?