Thag 12.1

Sīlavattheragāthā

“Sīlamevidha sikkhetha, asmiṁ loke susikkhitaṁ; Sīlañhi sabbasampattiṁ, upanāmeti sevitaṁ.

Sīlava

One should train just in ethical conduct, for in this world, when ethical conduct is cultivated and well-trained, it provides all success.

Sīlaṁ rakkheyya medhāvī, patthayāno tayo sukhe; Pasaṁsaṁ vittilābhañca, pecca sagge pamodanaṁ.

Wishing for three kinds of happiness— praise, prosperity, and to delight in heaven after passing away— the wise would take care of their ethics.

Sīlavā hi bahū mitte, saññamenādhigacchati; Dussīlo pana mittehi, dhaṁsate pāpamācaraṁ.

The well-behaved have many friends, because of their self-restraint. But one lacking ethics, of bad conduct, drives away their friends.

Avaṇṇañca akittiñca, dussīlo labhate naro; Vaṇṇaṁ kittiṁ pasaṁsañca, sadā labhati sīlavā.

A man whose ethics are bad has ill-repute and infamy. One who is ethical always has a good reputation, fame, and praise.

Ādi sīlaṁ patiṭṭhā ca, kalyāṇānañca mātukaṁ; Pamukhaṁ sabbadhammānaṁ, tasmā sīlaṁ visodhaye.

Ethical conduct is the starting point and foundation; the mother at the head of all good things: that’s why you should purify your ethics.

Velā ca saṁvaraṁ sīlaṁ, cittassa abhihāsanaṁ; Titthañca sabbabuddhānaṁ, tasmā sīlaṁ visodhaye.

Ethics provide a boundary and a restraint, an enjoyment for the mind; the ford where all the Buddhas cross over: that’s why you should purify your ethics.

Sīlaṁ balaṁ appaṭimaṁ, sīlaṁ āvudhamuttamaṁ; Sīlamābharaṇaṁ seṭṭhaṁ, sīlaṁ kavacamabbhutaṁ.

Ethics are the matchless power; ethics are the ultimate weapon; ethics are the best ornament; ethics are a marvelous coat of armor.

Sīlaṁ setu mahesakkho, sīlaṁ gandho anuttaro; Sīlaṁ vilepanaṁ seṭṭhaṁ, yena vāti disodisaṁ.

Ethics are a mighty bridge; ethics are the unsurpassed scent; ethics are the best perfume, that float from place to place.

Sīlaṁ sambalamevaggaṁ, sīlaṁ pātheyyamuttamaṁ; Sīlaṁ seṭṭho ativāho, yena yāti disodisaṁ.

Ethics are the best provision; ethics are the unsurpassed supply for a journey; ethics are the best vehicle that take you from place to place.

Idheva nindaṁ labhati, peccāpāye ca dummano; Sabbattha dummano bālo, sīlesu asamāhito.

In this life they’re criticized; after departing they grieve in a lower realm; a fool is unhappy everywhere, because they are unsteady in ethics.

Idheva kittiṁ labhati, pecca sagge ca summano; Sabbattha sumano dhīro, sīlesu susamāhito.

In this life they’re renowned; after departing they’re happy in heaven; the attentive are happy everywhere, because they are steady in ethics.

Sīlameva idha aggaṁ, paññavā pana uttamo; Manussesu ca devesu, sīlapaññāṇato jayan”ti.

Ethical conduct is best in this life, but one with wisdom is supreme. Someone with both virtue and wisdom is victorious among men and gods.