thag.14.2 Theragatha

Godatta

Just as a fine thoroughbred,
yoked to a carriage, endures the load.
Though oppressed by the heavy burden,
it doesn’t shake off the yoke.
So too, those who are as full of wisdom
as the ocean is with water,
don’t look down on others;
this is the teaching of the noble ones for living creatures.
People who fall under the sway of time,
the sway of rebirth in this or that state,
undergo suffering,
and those young men grieve in this life.
Elated by things that bring happiness,
downcast by things that bring suffering:
this pair destroys the fool
who doesn’t see things as they are.
But those who in suffering, and in happiness,
and in the middle have overcome the weaver—
they stand like a boundary pillar,
neither elated nor downcast.
Not to gain nor loss,
not to fame nor reputation,
not to criticism nor praise,
not to suffering nor happiness—
the wise cling to nothing,
like a droplet on a lotus-leaf.
They are happy everywhere,
and victorious everywhere.
There’s legitimate loss,
and there’s illegitimate gain.
Legitimate loss is better
than illegitimate gain.
There’s the fame of the unintelligent,
and there’s the disrepute of the discerning.
The disrepute of the discerning is better
than the fame of the unintelligent.
There’s praise by fools,
and there’s criticism by the discerning.
Criticism by the discerning is better
than praise by fools.
There’s the happiness of sensual pleasures,
and there’s the suffering of seclusion.
The suffering of seclusion is better
than the happiness of sensual pleasures.
There’s life without principles,
and there’s death with principles.
Death with principles is better
than life without principles.
Those who’ve given up desire and anger,
their minds at peace regarding rebirth in this or that state,
wander in the world unattached,
for them nothing is beloved or unloved.
Having developed the awakening factors,
the faculties and the powers,
having arrived at ultimate peace,
the undefiled become fully extinguished.