Oracles

I44 DHAMMAPADA Who stills not thought, nor knows true laws ; in whom distraction is not dumb, Troubling his peace of mind ; he shall to perfect knowledge never come. His thoughts concentred, unperplexed his mind renouncing good and ill. Alike, for him there is no fear if only he be watchful still. Knowing this body to be frail, making this thought a fortalice, do thou aright Mara with wisdom’s shaft assail ! Watch him when conquered. Never cease thou from the fight. Alas ! ere long a useless log, this body on the earth will lie. Condemned of all, and void of sense and understanding’s unity. What foe may wreak on foe, or hate work on the hated from the hater, Surely an ill directed mind on us will do a mischief greater. Father and mother, kith and kin, of these can none do service kind So great to us, as to ourselves the good direction of the mind.