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## Dhammapada XVII

# Anger

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

Read an alternate translation by Acharya Buddharakkhita

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221:

> Abandon anger,
> be done with conceit,
> get beyond every fetter.
> When for name & form
> you have no attachment
> -- have nothing at all --
> no sufferings, no stresses, invade.

222:

> When anger arises,
> whoever keeps firm control
> as if with a racing chariot:
> him
> I call a master charioteer.
> Anyone else,
> a rein-holder --
> that's all.

223:

> Conquer anger
> with lack of anger;
> bad, with good;
> stinginess, with generosity;
> a liar, with truth.

224:

> By telling the truth;
> by not growing angry;
> by giving, when asked,
> no matter how little you have:
> by these three things
> you enter the presence of devas.

225:

> Gentle sages,
> constantly restrained in body,
> go to the unwavering state
> where, having gone,
> there's no grief.

226:

> Those who always stay wakeful,
> training by day & by night,
> keen on Unbinding:
> their effluents come to an end.

227-228:

> This has come down from old, Atula,
> & not just from today:
> they find fault with one
> who sits silent,
> they find fault with one
> who speaks a great deal,
> they find fault with one
> who measures his words.
> There's no one unfaulted in the world.

> There never was,
> will be,
> nor at present is found
> anyone entirely faulted
> or entirely praised.

229-230:

> If knowledgeable people praise him,
> having observed him
> day after day
> to be blameless in conduct, intelligent,
> endowed with discernment & virtue:
> like an ingot of gold --
> who's fit to find fault with him?
> Even devas praise him.
> Even by Brahmas he's praised.

231-234*:

> Guard against anger
> erupting in body;
> in body, be restrained.
> Having abandoned bodily misconduct,
> live conducting yourself well
> in body.

> Guard against anger
> erupting in speech;
> in speech, be restrained.
> Having abandoned verbal misconduct,
> live conducting yourself well
> in speech.

> Guard against anger
> erupting in mind;
> in mind, be restrained.
> Having abandoned mental misconduct,
> live conducting yourself well
> in mind.
> Those restrained in body
> -- the enlightened --
> restrained in speech & in mind
> -- enlightened --
> are the ones whose restraint is secure.

Revised: Wed 16 May 2001