Thag 14.2

Godattattheragāthā

“Yathāpi bhaddo ājañño, dhure yutto dhurassaho; Mathito atibhārena, saṁyugaṁ nātivattati.

Godatta

Just as a fine thoroughbred, yoked to a carriage, endures the load. Though oppressed by the heavy burden, it doesn’t shake off the yoke.

Evaṁ paññāya ye tittā, samuddo vārinā yathā; Na pare atimaññanti, ariyadhammova pāṇinaṁ.

So too, those who are as full of wisdom as the ocean is with water, don’t look down on others; this is the teaching of the noble ones for living creatures.

Kāle kālavasaṁ pattā, bhavābhavavasaṁ gatā; Narā dukkhaṁ nigacchanti, tedha socanti māṇavā.

People who fall under the sway of time, the sway of rebirth in this or that state, undergo suffering, and those young men grieve in this life.

Unnatā sukhadhammena, dukkhadhammena conatā; Dvayena bālā haññanti, yathābhūtaṁ adassino.

Elated by things that bring happiness, downcast by things that bring suffering: this pair destroys the fool who doesn’t see things as they are.

Ye ca dukkhe sukhasmiñca, majjhe sibbinimaccagū; Ṭhitā te indakhīlova, na te unnataonatā.

But those who in suffering, and in happiness, and in the middle have overcome the weaver— they stand like Indra’s pillar, neither elated nor downcast.

Na heva lābhe nālābhe, na yase na ca kittiyā; Na nindāyaṁ pasaṁsāya, na te dukkhe sukhamhi ca.

Not to gain nor loss, not to fame nor reputation, not to criticism nor praise, not to suffering nor happiness—

Sabbattha te na limpanti, udabinduva pokkhare; Sabbattha sukhitā dhīrā, sabbattha aparājitā.

the wise cling to nothing, like a droplet on a lotus-leaf. They are happy everywhere, and victorious everywhere.

Dhammena ca alābho yo, yo ca lābho adhammiko; Alābho dhammiko seyyo, yañce lābho adhammiko.

There’s legitimate loss, and there’s illegitimate gain. Legitimate loss is better than illegitimate gain.

Yaso ca appabuddhīnaṁ, viññūnaṁ ayaso ca yo; Ayasova seyyo viññūnaṁ, na yaso appabuddhinaṁ.

There’s the fame of the unintelligent, and there’s the disrepute of the discerning. The disrepute of the discerning is better than the fame of the unintelligent.

Dummedhehi pasaṁsā ca, viññūhi garahā ca yā; Garahāva seyyo viññūhi, yañce bālappasaṁsanā.

There’s praise by simpletons, and there’s criticism by the discerning. Criticism by the discerning is better than praise by fools.

Sukhañca kāmamayikaṁ, dukkhañca pavivekiyaṁ; Pavivekadukkhaṁ seyyo, yañce kāmamayaṁ sukhaṁ.

There’s the happiness of sensual pleasures, and there’s the suffering of seclusion. The suffering of seclusion is better than the happiness of sensual pleasures.

Jīvitañca adhammena, dhammena maraṇañca yaṁ; Maraṇaṁ dhammikaṁ seyyo, yañce jīve adhammikaṁ.

There’s life without principles, and there’s death with principles. Death with principles is better than life without principles.

Kāmakopappahīnā ye, santacittā bhavābhave; Caranti loke asitā, natthi tesaṁ piyāpiyaṁ.

Those who’ve given up desire and anger, their minds at peace regarding rebirth in this or that state, wander in the world unattached, for them nothing is beloved or unloved.

Bhāvayitvāna bojjhaṅge, indriyāni balāni ca; Pappuyya paramaṁ santiṁ, parinibbantināsavā”ti.

Having developed the awakening factors, the faculties and the powers, having arrived at ultimate peace, the undefiled become fully quenched.