The Dhammapada · Buddhist Sutras

Chapter 23: The Elephant

The Dhammapada · 14 verses

Chapter 23 of the Dhammapada — “The Elephant” — the Buddha's most widely read collection of verses, in a classic public domain translation. It opens: “Silently shall I endure abuse as the elephant in battle endures the arrow sent from the bow: for the world is ill-natured.” — all 14 verses are below, free to read online.

1Silently shall I endure abuse as the elephant in battle endures the arrow sent from the bow: for the world is ill-natured.

2They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse.

3Mules are good, if tamed, and noble Sindhu horses, and elephants with large tusks; but he who tames himself is better still.

4For with these animals does no man reach the untrodden country (Nirvāṇa), where a tamed man goes on a tamed animal, viz. on his own well-tamed self.

5The elephant called Dhanapālaka, his temples running with sap, and difficult to hold, does not eat a morsel when bound; the elephant longs for the elephant grove.

6If a man becomes fat and a great eater, if he is sleepy and rolls himself about, that fool, like a hog fed on wash, is born again and again.

7This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the rider who holds the hook holds in the furious elephant.

8Be not thoughtless, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud.

9If a man find a prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, he may walk with him, overcoming all dangers, happy, but considerate.

10If a man find no prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, let him walk alone, like a king who has left his conquered country behind, — like an elephant in the forest.

11It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a man walk alone, let him commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest.

12If an occasion arises, friends are pleasant; enjoyment is pleasant, whatever be the cause; a good work is pleasant in the hour of death; the giving up of all grief is pleasant.

13Pleasant in the world is the state of a mother, pleasant the state of a father, pleasant the state of a Samaṇa, pleasant the state of a Brāhmaṇa.

14Pleasant is virtue lasting to old age, pleasant is a faith firmly rooted; pleasant is attainment of intelligence, pleasant is avoiding of sins.

14 verses · classic public domain translation

‹ Ch. 22: The Downward Course Ch. 24: Thirst ›

Read, search & bookmark — free

This text opens instantly in the FourFaiths reader, with full-text search across every book, bookmarks saved in your browser, reading plans and a verse of the day. No account, no tracking — everything runs locally in your browser.

Open in the sutra reader →