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## Dhammapada XIX

# The Judge

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

Read an alternate translation by Acharya Buddharakkhita

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256-257*:

> To pass judgment hurriedly
> doesn't mean you're a judge.
> The wise one, weighing both
> the right judgment & wrong,
> judges others impartially --
> unhurriedly, in line with the Dhamma,
> guarding the Dhamma,
> guarded by Dhamma,
> intelligent:
> he's called a judge.

258-259*:

> Simply talking a lot
> doesn't mean one is wise.
> Whoever's secure --
> no hostility,
> fear --
> is said to be wise.

> Simply talking a lot
> doesn't maintain the Dhamma.
> Whoever
> -- although he's heard next to nothing --
> sees Dhamma through his body,
> is not heedless of Dhamma:
> he's one who maintains the Dhamma.

260-261:

> A head of gray hairs
> doesn't mean one's an elder.
> Advanced in years,
> one's called an old fool.
> But one in whom there is
> truth, restraint,
> rectitude, gentleness,
> self-control --
> he's called an elder,
> his impurities disgorged,
> enlightened.

262-263:

> Not by suave conversation
> or lotus-like coloring
> does an envious, miserly cheat
> become an exemplary man.
> But one in whom this is
> cut through
> up- rooted
> wiped out --
> he's called exemplary,
> his aversion disgorged,
> intelligent.

264-265*:

> A shaven head
> doesn't mean a contemplative.
> The liar observing no duties,
> filled with greed & desire:
> what kind of contemplative's he?

> But whoever tunes out
> the dissonance
> of his evil qualities
> -- large or small --
> in every way
> by bringing evil to consonance:
> he's called a contemplative.

266-267:

> Begging from others
> doesn't mean one's a monk.
> As long as one follows
> householders' ways,
> one is no monk at all.

> But whoever puts aside
> both merit & evil and,
> living the chaste life,
> judiciously
> goes through the world:
> he's called a monk.

268-269*:

> Not by silence
> does someone confused
> & unknowing
> turn into a sage.
> But whoever -- wise,
> as if holding the scales,
> taking the excellent --
> rejects evil deeds:
> he is a sage,
> that's how he's a sage.
> Whoever can weigh
> both sides of the world:
> that's how he's called
> a sage.

270:

> Not by harming life
> does one become noble.
> One is termed noble
> for being gentle
> to all living things.

271-272*:

> Monk,
> don't
> on account of
> your precepts & practices,
> great erudition,
> concentration attainments,
> secluded dwelling,
> or the thought, 'I touch
> the renunciate ease
> that run-of-the-mill people
> don't know':
> ever let yourself get complacent
> when the ending of effluents
> is still unattained.

Revised: Wed 16 May 2001