To pass judgment hurriedly doesn’t mean you’re a judge.

The wise one, weighing both the right judgment & wrong,

judges others impartially— unhurriedly, in line with the Dhamma,

guarding the Dhamma, guarded by Dhamma, intelligent: he’s called a judge.

Simply talking a lot doesn’t mean one is wise.

Whoever’s secure— no hostility, fear— is said to be wise.

Simply talking a lot doesn’t maintain the Dhamma.

Whoever —although he’s heard next to nothing— sees Dhamma through his body,

is not heedless of Dhamma: he’s one who maintains the Dhamma.

A head of gray hairs doesn’t mean one’s an elder.

Advanced in years, one’s called an old fool.

But one in whom there is truth, restraint, rectitude, gentleness, self-control—

he’s called an elder, his impurities disgorged, enlightened.

Not by suave conversation or lotus-like coloring

does an envious, miserly cheat become an exemplary man.

But one in whom this is cut through up- rooted wiped out—

he’s called exemplary, his aversion disgorged, intelligent.

A shaven head doesn’t mean a contemplative. The liar observing no duties,

filled with greed & desire: what kind of contemplative’s he?

But whoever tunes out the dissonance of his evil qualities —large or small— in every way

by bringing evil to consonance: he’s called a contemplative.

Begging from others doesn’t mean one’s a monk.

As long as one follows householders’ ways, one is no monk at all.

But whoever puts aside both merit & evil and, living the chaste life,

judiciously goes through the world: he’s called a monk.

Not by silence does someone confused & unknowing turn into a sage.

But whoever—wise, as if holding the scales, taking the excellent—

rejects evil deeds: he is a sage, that’s how he’s a sage.

Whoever can weigh both sides of the world: that’s how he’s called a sage.

Not by harming life does one become noble.

One is termed noble for being gentle to all living things.

Monk, don’t on account of your precepts & practices, great erudition,

concentration attainments, secluded dwelling,

or the thought, ‘I touch the renunciate ease that run-of-the-mill people don’t know’:

ever let yourself get complacent when the ending of effluents is still unattained.

Dhammaṭṭhavaggo ekūnavīsatimo niṭṭhito.