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.