I46 
DHAMMAPADA 
 
To others’ failures, others’ sins done or good deeds un-done 
let swerve 
Never the thought ; thine own misdeeds, omissions,—these 
alone observe. 
 
Like to a lovely flower of hue bright, that hath yet no odour 
sweet 
So are his words who speaketh well, fruitless, by action 
incomplete. 
 
Like to a lovely flower of hue delightful and of odour sweet 
So are his words who speaketh well, fruitful, by action made 
complete. 
 
As from a heap of flowers can men make many garlands, 
so, once born, 
A man a-many noble deeds by doing may his life adorn. 
 
Travels the scent of flowers against the wind ?  Not Sandal, 
Taggara, nor Jasmine scent ! 
But the odour of the good doth so, the good pervadeth unto 
every element. 
 
When Sandal, Lotus, Taggara and Vassiki their odour 
rare 
Shed forth, their fragrant excellence is verily beyond 
compare.