Sahassa Vagga

Better than a thousand words devoid of meaning is a single beneficial word, hearing which one attains peace.

Better than a thousand verses composed of meaningless lines is a single verse line, hearing which one attains peace.

Though one should recite a hundred verses composed of meaningless words, better is a single word of the Dhamma, hearing which one attains peace.

Though one should conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he who conquers himself alone is the greatest of conquerors.

Conquest over oneself is truly better than victory over all other people. For a person who has tamed himself and constantly lives in self-restraint,

Neither a deva, nor a gandhabba, nor Māra together with Brahmā, could turn into defeat the victory of such a self-tamed person.

Though month after month with a thousand coins one should make sacrifices for a hundred years, yet if for only a moment one pays homage to a self-cultivated sage, that single act of reverence is better than a hundred years of sacrifice.

Though for a hundred years a man should tend the sacrificial fire in the forest, yet if for only a moment he pays homage to a self-cultivated sage, that single reverence is far better than a hundred years of fire worship.

Whatever sacrifice or offering a merit-seeker might present in the world for a full year, all of it is not worth a fourth part of the homage paid to the upright.

For one who is respectful in nature, who constantly honors elders and the wise, four blessings increase: life, beauty, happiness, and strength.

Though one should live a hundred years immoral and uncontrolled, better is a single day lived by one who is virtuous and meditative.

Though one should live a hundred years lacking wisdom and uncontrolled, better is a single day lived by one who is wise and meditative.

Though one should live a hundred years lazy and lacking energy, better is a single day lived by one who initiates firm and energetic effort.

Though one should live a hundred years without seeing the arising and passing away of things, better is a single day lived by one who clearly sees their arising and passing away.

Though one should live a hundred years without seeing the Deathless State (Nibbāna), better is a single day lived by one who sees the Deathless State.

Though one should live a hundred years without seeing the Supreme Truth (the ninefold supramundane Dhamma), better is a single day lived by one who sees the Supreme Truth.