The Self
This chapter is about taking responsibility for yourself. It says that if you held yourself dear you would look after yourself well, staying alert through part of the night. Before instructing others, ground yourself in what is right, and treat yourself as you would instruct another, since the self is hard to tame. It says one is one’s own master, that harm done by oneself grinds one down as diamond grinds a lesser gem, and that helpful deeds are the hardest to do. Purity and impurity are personal matters; no one can purify another. It closes by telling the reader not to neglect their own good for anyone else’s sake.
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · public domain (CC0) · about 1 min · on SuttaCentral
157If you knew your self as beloved,you’d look after it so well.In one of the night’s three watches,an astute person would remain alert.
158The astute would avoid being corruptedby first grounding themselvesin what is suitable,and then instructing others.Explained: First ground yourself
159If one were to treat oneselfas one instructs another,the well-tamed indeed would tame:for the self, it seems, is hard to tame.
160One is indeed the lord of oneself,for who else would be one’s lord?By means of a well-tamed self,one gains a lord that’s rare indeed.
161For the evil that is done by oneself,born and produced in oneself,grinds down a simpleton,as diamond grinds a lesser gem.
162One choked by immorality,as a sal tree by a creeper,does to themselveswhat a foe only wishes.
163It’s easy to do bad thingsharmful to oneself,but good things that are helpfulare the hardest things to do.
164On account of wicked views—scorning the guidanceof the perfected ones,the noble ones living righteously—the idiot begets their own self’s demise,like the bamboo bearing fruit.
165For it is by oneself that evil’s done,one is corrupted by oneself.It’s by oneself that evil’s not done,one is purified by oneself.Purity and impurity are personal matters,no one can purify another.
166Never neglect what is good for yourselffor the sake of another, however great.Knowing well what is good for yourself,be intent upon your heart’s goal.