DHAMMAPADA 
I43 
 
The Bhikkhu who in Earnestness delights, Dispersion sees 
with fear, 
He goes not to Destruction ; he unto Nirvana draweth near. 
 
III 
 
THE ARROW 
 
Just as the fletcher shapes his shaft straightly, so shapes 
his thought the saint, 
For that is trembling, weak, impatient of direction or 
restraint. 
 
Mara’s dominion to escape if thought impetuously tries 
Like to a fish from water snatched thrown on the ground 
it trembling lies. 
 
Where’er it listeth runneth thought, the tameless trembling 
consciousness. 
Well is it to restrain :—a mind so stilled and tamed brings 
happiness. 
 
Hard to perceive, all-wandering, subtle and eager do they 
press, 
Thoughts ; let the wise man guard his thoughts ; well 
guarded thoughts bring happiness. 
 
Moving alone, far-travelling, bodiless, hidden i’th’ heart, 
who trains 
His thought and binds it by his will shall be released from 
Mara’s chains.