The Thousands

Better than a thousand meaningless words is one sensible word if hearing it one becomes peaceful. Better than a thousand meaningless verses is one word of verse if hearing it one becomes peaceful. Better than reciting one hundred verses of meaningless words is one poem if hearing it one becomes peaceful. If a person were to conquer in battle a thousand times a thousand people, if another conquers oneself, that one is the greatest conqueror. Conquering oneself is better than conquering other people; not even a god, a spirit, nor Mara with Brahma, could turn into a defeat the victory of one who always practices the discipline of self-control. If a person month after month for a hundred years should sacrifice with a thousand offerings, and if but for one moment that person paid reverence to one whose soul is grounded in knowledge, better is that reverence than a hundred years of sacrifices. If a person for a hundred years should worship Agni in the forest, and if but for one moment that person paid reverence to one whose soul is grounded in knowledge, better is that reverence than a hundred years of worship. Whatever a person sacrifices in this world as an offering or as an oblation for a whole year in order to gain merit, the whole of it is not worth a quarter. Reverence shown to the virtuous is better. To the one who always reveres and respects the aged, four things increase: life, health, happiness, and power. Better than a hundred years lived in vice and unrestrained is living one day if a person is virtuous and contemplative. Better than a hundred years lived in ignorance and unrestrained is living one day if a person is wise and contemplative. Better than a hundred years lived in idleness and weakness is living one day if a person courageously makes effort. Better than a hundred years of not perceiving how things arise and pass away is living one day if a person does perceive how things arise and pass away. Better than a hundred years of not perceiving immortality is living one day if a person does perceive immortality. Better than a hundred years of not seeing the supreme path is living one day if a person does see the supreme path.