Chapter
17, Anger
221.
One should give up anger, renounce pride, and overcome all fetters.
Suffering never befalls him who clings not to mind and body
and is detached.
222.
He who checks rising anger as a charioteer checks a rolling
chariot, him I call a true charioteer. Others only hold the
reins.
223.
Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness;
overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth.
224.
Speak the truth; yield not to anger; when asked, give even if
you only have a little. By these three means can one reach the
presence of the gods.
225.
Those sages who are inoffensive and ever restrained in body,
go to the Deathless State, where, having gone, they grieve no
more.
226.
Those who are ever vigilant, who discipline themselves day and
night, and are ever intent upon Nirvana -- their defilements
fade away.
227.
O Atula! Indeed, this is an ancient practice, not one only of
today: they blame those who remain silent, they blame those
speak much, they blame those who speak in moderation. There
is none in the world who is not blamed.
228.
There never was, there never will be, nor is there now, a person
who is wholly blamed or wholly praised.
229.
But the man whom the wise praise, after observing him day after
day, is one of flawless character, wise, and endowed with knowledge
and virtue.
230.
Who can blame such a one, as worthy as a coin of refined gold?
Even the gods praise him; by Brahma, too, is he praised.
231.
Let a man guard himself against irritability in bodily action;
let him be controlled in deed. Abandoning bodily misconduct,
let him practice good conduct in deed.
232.
Let a man guard himself against irritability in speech; let
him be controlled in speech. Abandoning verbal misconduct, let
him practice good conduct in speech.
233.
Let a man guard himself against irritability in thought; let
him be controlled in mind. Abandoning mental misconduct, let
him practice good conduct in thought.
234.
The wise are controlled in bodily action, controlled in speech
and controlled in thought. They are truly well-controlled.
