Oracles

DHAMMAPADA I39 He, void of temperance, and truth, from guilt, impurity, and sin Not free, the poor and golden robe he hath no worth to clothe therein. * Regarding temperance and truth, from guilt, impurity, and sin Freed, he the poor and golden robe indeed hath worth to clothe therein. They who see falsehood in the Truth, imagine Truth to lurk in lies, Never arrive to know the Truth, but follow eager vanities. To whom in Truth the Truth is known, Falsehood in falsehood doth appear, To them the Path of Truth is shewn ; right aspirations are their sphere ! An ill-thatched house is open to the mercy of the rain and wind. So passion hath the power to break into an unreflecting mind. A well-thatched house is proof against the fury of the rain and wind. So passion hath no power to break into a rightly-ordered mind. * Alternative reading !— Who is not free from dirty taint, and temperate and truthful ain’t, He should not wear the garment quaint that marks the Arahat of Saint.