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100. Better than a thousand utterances, comprising useless words, is one single beneficial word, by hearing which one is pacified.
101. Better than a thousand verses, comprising useless words, is one beneficial single line, by hearing which one is pacified.
102. Should one recite a hundred verses, comprising useless words, better is one single word of the Dhamma, by hearing which one is pacified.
103. Though one should conquer a million 1 men in battlefield, yet he, indeed, is the noblest victor who has conquered himself.
104-105. Self-conquest 2 is, indeed, far greater than the conquest of all other folk; neither a god nor a gandhabba, 3 nor Māra 4 with Brahmā, 5 can win back the victory of such a person who is self-subdued and ever lives in restraint.
106. Though month after month with a thousand, one should make an offering for a hundred years, yet, if, only for a moment, one should honour (a Saint) who has perfected himself - that honour is, indeed, better than a century of sacrifice.
107. Though, for a century a man should tend the (sacred) fire in the forest, yet, if, only for a moment, he should honour (a Saint) who has perfected himself -that honour is, indeed, better than a century of fire-sacrifice.
108. In this world whatever gift 6 or alms a person seeking merit should offer for a year, all that is not worth a single quarter of the reverence towards the Upright 7 which is excellent.
109. For one who is in the habit of constantly honouring and respecting the elders, four blessings increase - age, beauty, bliss, and strength.
110. Though one should live a hundred years, immoral and uncontrolled, yet better, indeed, is a single day’s life of one who is moral and meditative.
111. Though one should live a hundred years without wisdom and control, yet better, indeed, is a single day’s life of one who is wise and meditative.
112. 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.
113. Though one should live a hundred years without comprehending how all things rise and pass away, 8 yet better, indeed, is a single day’s life of one who comprehends how all things rise and pass away.
114. Though one should live a hundred years without seeing the Deathless State, 9 yet better, indeed, is a single day’s life of one who sees the Deathless State.
115. Though one should live a hundred years not seeing the Truth Sublime, 10 yet better, indeed, is a single day’s life of one who sees the Truth Sublime.
[1] Sahassaṃ sahassena, thousand multiplied by a thousand, that is, ten lakhs. (Commentary).
[2] Atta -The Buddha often uses this term in the sense of oneself or mind but not in the sense of a soul or special self.
[3] A class of beings who are supposed to be heavenly musicians.
[4] Here Māra is used in the sense of god.
[5] Another class of beings, even superior to the gods in heaven, who have developed the Jhānas (ecstasies).
[6] According to the Commentary iṭṭhaṃ is that which is given on festival occasions, and hutaṃ is that which is prepared and given either to guests or with a belief in kamma and results. The idea conveyed by this stanza is that reverence paid to a Saint is far superior to gifts and alms given to worldlings.
[7] They are the Sotāpannas (Stream-Winners) and others who have attained sanctification.
[8] The rise and decay of mind and matter - namely: the impermanence of all conditioned things. A disciple of the Buddha is expected to contemplate the fleeting nature of life, so that he may not be attached to illusory material pleasures.
[9] Amataṃ padaṃ, the unconditioned state of Nibbāna, free from birth, decay and death.
[10] The nine supramundane States - namely: the four Paths, the four Fruits, and Nibbāna.
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