Dhammapada, Chapter 8 summary
Chapter 8 of 26 · 2 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 8, the verses place meaningful speech, mastery of oneself, and respect for wise people above large quantities of words, military victories, and repeated sacrifices. They also value a single day of virtue, wisdom, strength, or insight above a century without these qualities.
What happens
- A meaningful word that brings calm outweighs long speeches and many poems without meaning.
- Victory over oneself surpasses victory over vast armies, and divine powers cannot undo it.
- Brief respect for someone with true knowledge outweighs prolonged sacrifice or fire worship.
- Honoring older people increases life, beauty, happiness, and strength.
- One day with virtue, wisdom, resolve, or spiritual insight outweighs a hundred years without these qualities.
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What outweighs a century of sacrifice?
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