Anger
The chapter tells the reader to give up anger and conceit, and to check anger when it surges like a lurching chariot; that, it says, is what makes a real charioteer. Anger is to be defeated by kindness, meanness by giving, lies by truth. A set of verses addressed to someone called Atula says that people will blame you whether you are silent, talk a lot or speak just right, and that no one has ever been wholly praised or wholly blamed. The closing verses ask for restraint in body, speech and mind, guarding against ill-tempered deeds, words and thoughts.
A note on these verses. Verses 224 and 230 mention entering the presence of the gods; verses 225–226 speak of “extinguishment”, the end of suffering.
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · public domain (CC0) · about 2 min · on SuttaCentral
221Give up anger, get rid of conceit,and escape every fetter.Sufferings don’t befall one who has nothing,not clinging to name and form.
222When anger surges like a lurching chariot,keep it in check.That’s what I call a charioteer;others just hold the reins.
223Defeat anger with kindness,villainy with virtue,stinginess with giving,and lies with truth.
224Speak the truth, do not be angry,and give when asked, if only a little.By these three means,you may enter the presence of the gods.
225Those harmless sages,always restrained in body,go to the state that does not pass,where there is no sorrow.
226Always wakeful,practicing night and day,focused only on extinguishment,their defilements come to an end.
227It’s always been this way, Atula,it’s not just today.They blame you when you’re silent,they blame you when you speak a lot,and even when you speak just right:no one in the world escapes blame.
228There never was, nor will be,nor is there today,someone who is wholly praisedor wholly blamed.
229If, after watching them day in day out,discerning people praisethat sage of impeccable conduct,endowed with ethics and wisdom;
230like a pendant of Black Plum River gold,who is worthy to criticize them?Even the gods praise them,and by the Divinity, too, they’re praised.
231Guard against ill-tempered deeds,be restrained in body.Giving up bad bodily conduct,conduct yourself well in body.
232Guard against ill-tempered words,be restrained in speech.Giving up bad verbal conduct,conduct yourself well in speech.
233Guard against ill-tempered thoughts,be restrained in mind.Giving up bad mental conduct,conduct yourself well in mind.
234An attentive one is restrained in bodyrestrained also in speech,in thought, too, they are restrained:they are restrained in every way.