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Self-effort
For the sake of others' welfare, however, great,
Let not one neglect one's own welfare.
Clearly perceiving one's own welfare,
Let one be intent on one's own goal.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 166)
Let one first establish oneself in what is proper,
And then instruct others.
Such a wise man will not be defiled.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 158)
Oneself is one's won protector (refuge) indeed,
What other protector (refuge) can there be?
With oneself fully controlled,
One obtains a protection (refuge) which is hard to gain.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 160)
There are no sons for one’s protection,
Neither father nor even kinsmen;
For one who is overcome by death;
No protection is to be found among kinsmen.
Realizing this fact,
Let the virtuous and wise person,
Swiftly clear the way that leads to Nibbana.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 288, 289)
Self-conquest is, indeed, far greater than the conquest of all other folk;
Neither a god, nor a gandhabba, nor Mara, nor Brahma,
Can win back the victory of such a person who is self-subdued and ever lives in restraint
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 104,105)
Though one should conquer
A million men in the battlefield,
Yet he, indeed, is the noblest victor
Who has conquered himself.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 103)
Though one should live a hundred years idle and inactive,
Yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who makes an intense effort.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 112)
Good is restraint of the eye;
Good is restraint of the ear;
Good is restraint of the nose;
Good is restraint of the tongue.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 360)
Good is restraint of the body.
Good is restraint of speech.
Good is restraint of the mind.
Restraint everywhere is good.
The bhikkhu restrained in every way is freed from all suffering.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 361)
By oneself indeed, is evil done;
By oneself is one defiled.
By oneself is evil left undone;
By oneself, indeed is one purified.
Purity and impurity depend on oneself.
No one purifies another.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 165)
Whosoever is energetic, mindful, pure in conduct,
Discriminating, self-restrained, right-living, vigilant,
His fame steadily increases.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 24)
The source for the above material:
K. Sri Dhammananda. The Dhammapada. Copyright © 1988 by Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, 123, Jalan Berhala, 50470, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Used with permission.
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