8.1
Better than a thousand
discourses
full of meaningless words
is the single word of truth
that brings peace.
8.2
Better than a thousand
verses
full of meaningless words
is the single line of truth
that brings peace.
8.3
Though one recites a hundred
scriptures
full of meaningless words,
better is the single
utterance of Dhamma
that brings peace.
8.4
Though a great warrior may
conquer
a thousand-thousand men in
battle,
greater still is he who
conquers himself alone.
8.5
Better by far to conquer
oneself rather than others.
One who triumphs in
self-mastery,
one who reaches
Self-realization,
8.6
neither gods nor the
instruments of the gods –
not even Mara and Brahma
together –
can vanquish the victory or
such a one.
8.7
If month after month for a
hundred years
one offered a thousand
sacrifices,
and if for a single moment
another recognized a
Self-realized man,
that single moment would be
worth far more
than the sacrifice of a
hundred years.
8.8
If for a hundred years
one tended a ritual fire in
the forest,
and if for a single moment
another honored a
Self-realized man,
that single moment would be
worth far more
than the rituals of a
hundred years.
8.9
Whatever amount of
sacrifices and offerings
one determined to gain merit
might manage in an entire
year,
would not be worth a
fraction of a single moment’s
reverence for one who
embodies Truth.
8.10
In one with the capacity for
reverence
four qualities increase: strength,
beauty, happiness,
and span of life.
8.11
Better than a hundred years
lived
in obedience to desire,
is one day lived in virtue
and stillness.
8.12
Better than a hundred years
lived
clouded with ignorance,
is one day lived in clarity
and insight.
8.13
Better than a hundred years
lived
in lethargy and sloth,
is one day lived with
vitality and purpose.
8.14
Better than a hundred years
lived not witnessing
the arising and passing away
of Creation,
is one day lived in
witnessing
the arising and passing
away.
8.15
Better than a hundred years
lived
not knowing the deathless
state,
is one day lived in
deathlessness.
8.16
Better than a hundred years
lived
unaware of ultimate Truth,
is one day lived in
Awareness.