Dhp XIX : The Judge

Dhp XIX : The Judge - translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

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.

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.

256-257*

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 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.

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.

258-259*

A head of gray hairs

doesn’t mean one’s an elder.

Advanced in years,

one’s called an old fool.

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.

But one in whom there is

truth, restraint,

rectitude, gentleness,

self-control–

he’s called an elder,

his impurities disgorged,

enlightened.

260-261

Not by suave conversation

or lotus-like coloring

does an envious, miserly cheat

become an exemplary man.

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.

But one in whom this is

cut through

up-rooted

wiped out–

he’s called exemplary,

his aversion disgorged,

intelligent.

262-263

A shaven head

doesn’t mean a contemplative.

The liar observing no duties,

filled with greed & desire:

what kind of contemplative’s he?

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.

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.

264-265*

Begging from others

doesn’t mean one’s a monk.

As long as one follows

householders’ ways,

one is no monk at all.

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.

But whoever puts aside

both merit & evil and,

living the chaste life,

judiciously

goes through the world:

he’s called a monk.

266-267

Not by silence

does someone confused

& unknowing

turn into a sage.

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.

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.

268-269*

Not by harming life

does one become noble.

One is termed

noble

for being

gentle

to all living things.

Not by harming life

does one become noble.

One is termed

noble

for being

gentle

to all living things.

270

Monk,

don’t

on account of

your habits & 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.

Monk,

don’t

on account of

your habits & 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.

271-272*

Origin URL: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/KN/Dhp/Ch19.html