Paired Verses

1. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.

1. All that we are comes from what we have thought. Our thoughts are the foundation and substance of who we are. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. It follows just as a wheel follows the foot of the ox pulling the carriage.

2. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

2. All that we are comes from what we have thought. Our thoughts are the foundation and substance of who we are. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.

3. "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,"—in those who harbour such thoughts hatred will never cease.

3. "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me." Hatred will never end in those who hold on to such thoughts.

4. "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,"—in those who do not harbour such thoughts hatred will cease.

4. "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me." Hatred will end in those who do not hold on to such thoughts.

5. For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love, this is an old rule.

5. Hatred never ends through hatred. Hatred ends through love. This is an ancient rule.

6. The world does not know that we must all come to an end here;—but those who know it, their quarrels cease at once.

6. The world does not know that we must all die here. But those who know this stop quarreling at once.

7. He who lives looking for pleasures only, his senses uncontrolled, immoderate in his food, idle, and weak, Mara (the tempter) will certainly overthrow him, as the wind throws down a weak tree.

7. Anyone who lives only for pleasure, lacks control over his senses, overeats, and is lazy and weak will certainly be overthrown by Mara (the tempter), just as the wind knocks down a weak tree.

8. He who lives without looking for pleasures, his senses well controlled, moderate in his food, faithful and strong, him Mara will certainly not overthrow, any more than the wind throws down a rocky mountain.

8. Mara will certainly not overthrow a person who lives without seeking pleasure, controls his senses, and eats in moderation. He must also be faithful and strong. Mara can no more overthrow such a person than the wind can knock down a rocky mountain.

9. He who wishes to put on the yellow dress without having cleansed himself from sin, who disregards temperance and truth, is unworthy of the yellow dress.

9. Anyone who wants to wear the yellow robe without first cleansing himself of sin is unworthy of the robe if he ignores self-control and truth.

10. But he who has cleansed himself from sin, is well grounded in all virtues, and regards also temperance and truth, he is indeed worthy of the yellow dress.

10. But a man who has cleansed himself of sin, is firmly rooted in all virtues, and values self-control and truth is truly worthy of the yellow robe.

11. They who imagine truth in untruth, and see untruth in truth, never arrive at truth, but follow vain desires.

11. Those who mistake falsehood for truth and truth for falsehood never reach the truth. Instead, they follow empty desires.

12. They who know truth in truth, and untruth in untruth, arrive at truth, and follow true desires.

12. Those who recognize truth as truth and falsehood as falsehood reach the truth. They follow true desires.

13. As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break through an unreflecting mind.

13. Just as rain leaks through a poorly thatched roof, passion will break through a mind that does not reflect.

14. As rain does not break through a well-thatched house, passion will not break through a well-reflecting mind.

14. Just as rain cannot get through a well-thatched roof, passion cannot break through a thoughtful mind.

15. The evil-doer mourns in this world, and he mourns in the next; he mourns in both. He mourns and suffers when he sees the evil of his own work.

15. The person who does evil grieves in this world and in the next. He grieves in both. He grieves and suffers when he sees the evil he has done.

16. The virtuous man delights in this world, and he delights in the next; he delights in both. He delights and rejoices, when he sees the purity of his own work.

16. A virtuous man finds joy in this world and in the next. He finds joy in both. He feels joy and happiness when he sees the purity of his own actions.

17. The evil-doer suffers in this world, and he suffers in the next; he suffers in both. He suffers when he thinks of the evil he has done; he suffers more when going on the evil path.

17. A person who does evil suffers in this world and in the next. He suffers in both. He suffers when he thinks of the evil he has done. He suffers even more when he follows the path of evil.

18. The virtuous man is happy in this world, and he is happy in the next; he is happy in both. He is happy when he thinks of the good he has done; he is still more happy when going on the good path.

18. A good man is happy in this world and in the next. He is happy in both. He is happy when he thinks of the good he has done. He is even happier when he follows the good path.

19. The thoughtless man, even if he can recite a large portion (of the law), but is not a doer of it, has no share in the priesthood, but is like a cowherd counting the cows of others.

19. Even if a thoughtless man can recite much of the law, he has no share in the priesthood if he does not practice the law. Instead, he is like a cowherd counting other people's cows.

20. The follower of the law, even if he can recite only a small portion (of the law), but, having forsaken passion and hatred and foolishness, possesses true knowledge and serenity of mind, he, caring for nothing in this world or that to come, has indeed a share in the priesthood.

20. A follower of the law may recite only a small part of the law. But if he has abandoned passion, hatred, and ignorance, has true knowledge and peace of mind, and is attached to nothing in this world or the next, he truly shares in the priesthood.