Better than if there were thousands of meaningless words is

one meaningful word that on hearing brings peace.

Better than if there were thousands of meaningless verses is

one meaningful line of verse that on hearing brings peace.

And better than chanting hundreds of meaningless verses is

one Dhamma-saying that on hearing brings peace.

Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men,

is he who would conquer just one— himself.

Better to conquer yourself than others.

When you’ve trained yourself, living in constant self-control,

neither a deva nor gandhabba, nor a Mara banded with Brahmas,

could turn that triumph back into defeat.

You could, month by month, at a cost of thousands, conduct sacrifices a hundred times,

or pay a single moment’s homage to one person, self-cultivated.

Better than a hundred years of sacrifices would that act of homage be.

You could, for a hundred years, live in a forest tending a fire,

or pay a single moment’s homage to one person, self-cultivated.

Better than a hundred years of sacrifices would that act of homage be.

Everything offered or sacrificed in the world for an entire year by one seeking merit

doesn’t come to a fourth. Better to pay respect to those who’ve gone the straight way.

If you’re respectful by habit, constantly honoring the worthy,

four things increase: long life, beauty, happiness, strength.

Better than a hundred years lived without virtue, uncentered,

is one day lived by a virtuous person absorbed in jhana.

And better than a hundred years lived undiscerning, uncentered,

, is one day lived by a discerning person absorbed in jhana.

And better than a hundred years lived apathetic & unenergetic,

is one day lived energetic & firm.

And better than a hundred years lived without seeing arising & passing away,

is one day lived seeing arising & passing away.

And better than a hundred years lived without seeing the Deathless state,

is one day lived seeing the Deathless state.

And better than a hundred years lived without seeing the ultimate Dhamma,

is one day lived seeing the ultimate Dhamma.

Sahassavaggo aṭṭhamo niṭṭhito.