Delight in heedfulness! Guard well your thoughts!Draw yourself out of this bog of evil,even as an elephant draws himself out of the mud.– Dhammapada XXIII. Nagavagga: The Elephant :: Verse 327
If for company you find a wise and prudent friend who leads a good life,you should, overcoming all impediments,keep his company joyously and mindfully.– Dhammapada XXIII. Nagavagga: The Elephant :: Verse 328
If for company you cannot find a wise and prudent friend who leads a good life,then, like a king who leaves behind a conquered kingdom,or like a lone elephant in the elephant forest,you should go your way alone.– Dhammapada XXIII. Nagavagga: The Elephant :: Verse 329
An evil deed is better left undone,for such a deed torments one afterwards.But a good deed is better done,doing which one repents not later.– Dhammapada XXII. Nirayavagga: Hell :: Verse 314
Better it is to live alone;there is no fellowship with a fool.Live alone and do no evil;be carefree like an elephant in the elephant forest.– Dhammapada XXIII. Nagavagga: The Elephant :: Verse 330
Just as a border city is closely guarded both within and without, even so, guard yourself.Do not let slip this opportunity (for spiritual growth).For those who let slip this opportunity grieve indeed when consigned to hell.– Dhammapada XXII. Nirayavagga: Hell :: Verse 315
Good are friends when need arises;good is contentment with just what one has;good is merit when life is at an end,and good is the abandoning of all suffering (through Arahantship).– Dhammapada XXIII. Nagavagga: The Elephant :: Verse 331
Those who are ashamed of what they should not be ashamed of,and are not ashamed of what they should be ashamed ofÑ upholding false views, they go to states of woe.– Dhammapada XXII. Nirayavagga: Hell :: Verse 316
In this world, good it is to serve one’s mother,good it is to serve one’s father,good it is to serve the monks,and good it is to serve the holy men.–
Those who see something to fear where there is nothing to fear,and see nothing to fear where there is something to fearÑ upholding false views, they go to states of woe.– Dhammapada XXII. Nirayavagga: Hell :: Verse 317