Dhammapada
The Sayings of the Buddha
17. Anger
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Let go of anger.
Let go of pride.
When you are bound by nothing
You go beyond sorrow.
Anger is like a chariot careering
wildly.
He who curbs his anger is the true
charioteer.
Others merely hold the reins.
With gentleness overcome anger.
With generosity overcome meanness.
With truth overcome deceit.
Speak the truth.
Give whatever you can,
Never be angry.
These three steps will lead you
Into the presence of the gods.
The wise harm no one,
They are masters of their bodies
And they go to the boundless
country.
They go beyond sorrow.
Those who seek perfection
Keep watch by day and night
Till all desires vanish
Listen, Atula. This is not new,
It is an old saying —
“They blame you for being silent,
They blame you when you talk too
much
And when you talk too little.”
Whatever you do, they blame you.
The world always finds
A way to praise and way to blame
It always has and it always will.
But who dares blame the man
Whom the wise continually praise,
Whose life is virtuous and wise,
Who shines like a coin of pure gold?
Even the gods praise him.
Even Brahma praises him.
Beware of the anger of the body.
Master the body.
Let it serve truth.
Beware of the anger of the
mouth.
Master your words.
Let them serve truth.
Beware of the anger of the mind.
Master your thoughts.
Let them serve truth.
The wise have mastered
Body, word and mind.
They are true masters.