The Collected Works of Edwin Arnold

—Sir Edwin Arnold.

Do not have evil-doers for friends.... Take as your friends the best of men.—Dhammapada.

—Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

His friendship is prized by the gentle and the good.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Living ... without cruelty among the cruel.—Udanavarga.

The Scripture said: "Be kind and benevolent to every being, and spread peace in the world.... If it happen that thou see anything to be killed, thy soul shall be moved with pity and compassion. Ah, how watchful should we be over ourselves!"—Sha-mi-lu-i-yao-lio.

I desire to produce in myself a loving heart towards all living creatures.—Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

Let us then practice good works, and inspect our thoughts that we do no evil.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Now, therefore, it behooves me to examine into my faults; and if I find anything wrong in me, to put it away, and practice virtue only.—Jataka.

Therefore ... we would humble ourselves and repent us of our sins. Oh! that we may have strength to do so aright!—Liturgy of Kwan-yin.

If we know that we have done wrong, and yet refuse to acknowledge it, we are guilty of prevarication.—Chinese Pratimoksha.

From the very first, ... having no wish to benefit others, or to do good in the least degree, we have been adding sin unto sin; and even though our actual crimes have not been so great, yet a wicked heart has ruled us within. Day and night, without interval or hesitation, have we continually contrived how to do wrong.—Liturgy of Kwan-yin.

Accept the confession I make of my sin in its sinfulness, to the end that in future I may restrain myself therefrom.—Cullavagga.

He who offends an offenseless man, ... against such a fool the evil reverts, like fine dust thrown against the wind.—Kokaliya-sutta.

May wisdom be with me always.—Inscription in Temple of Nakhon Vat.

The fool who knows his foolishness is wise at any rate so far. But the fool who thinks himself wise, he is a fool indeed.—Dhammapada.

He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot—him I call a real driver: other people are merely holding the reins.—Dhammapada.

Anger, alas! how it changes the comely face! how it destroys the loveliness of beauty!—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

The fool who is angered, and thinks to triumph by the use of abusive language, is always vanquished by him whose words are patient.—Udanavarga.

He who lives far from me yet walks righteously, is ever near me.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

He sought after the good of those dependent on him.—Questions of King Milinda.

Who, though he be lord over others, is patient with those that are weak.—Udanavarga.

Loving her maids and dependents even as herself.—Lalita Vistara.

Loving all things which live even as themselves.—Sir Edwin Arnold.

Hear ye all this moral maxim, and having heard it keep it well: Whatsoever is displeasing to yourselves never do to another.—Bstanhgyur.

Then declared he unto them (the rule of doing to others what we ourselves like).—San-kiao-yuen-lieu.

From henceforth ... put away evil and do good.—Jataka.

At morning, noon, and night successively, store up good works.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Always doing good to those around you.—Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

In order to terminate all suffering, be earnest in performing good deeds.—Buddhaghosa's parables.

Compassion alone sanctifies the good.—Kshemendra's Avadana Kalpalata.

Religion means self-sacrifice.—Rukemavati.

O Buddha, the worship of thee consists in doing good to the world.—Bhakti Sataka.

Persist not in calling attention to a matter calculated to cause division.—Patimokkha.

Dwell together in mutual love.—Brahmanadhammika-sutta.

Let us now unite in the practice of what is good, cherishing a gentle and sympathizing heart, and carefully cultivating good faith and righteousness.—Travels of Fa-hien.

May I obtain wealth, and ... may the wealth ... obtained by me be for the benefit of others.—Jinalankara.

Feeling deep compassion for the poor, grudging nothing which he possessed.—Phu-yau-king.

Humble in mind, but large in gracious deeds, abundant in charity to the poor and helpless.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Full of modesty and pity, ... kind and compassionate to all creatures that have life.—Tevijja-sutta.

He who ... is tender to all that lives ... is protected by heaven and loved by men.—Fa-kheu-pi-u.

Day and night the mind of Buddha's disciples always delights in compassion.—Dhammapada.

Let him not think detractingly of others.—Sariputta-sutta.

But offer loving thoughts and acts to all.—Sir Edwin Arnold.

Never should he speak a disparaging word of anybody.—Saddharma-pundarika.

Whatever I understand (to be right) ... I desire to practice.—Rock Inscriptions of Asoka.

Lightly to laugh at and ridicule another is wrong.—Fa-kheu-pi-us.

Virtuous deeds should be practiced today; for who can say but we may die tomorrow?—Temee Jatu.

May I be thoroughly imbued with benevolence, and show always a charitable disposition, till such time as this heart shall cease to beat.—Inscription in Temple of Nakhon Vat.

Born to give joy and bring peace to the world.—Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

The whole world of sentient creatures enjoyed ... universal tranquility.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Enmity and envy gave way to peace; contentment and rest prevailed everywhere; ... discord and variance were entirely appeased.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Creatures of every variety were moved one toward another lovingly; fear and terror altogether put away, none entertained a hateful thought; the Angels, foregoing their heavenly joys, sought rather to alleviate the sinner's sufferings.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

The virtuous retain in their mind the good done to them, whereas the evil they experience drops from their mind, like water from a lotus-petal.—Jatakamala.

Vice, O king, is a mean thing, virtue is great and grand.—Questions of King Milinda.

I deem ... unrighteous actions contemptible.—Mahavagga.

Like food besmeared with poison, I abhor such happiness as is tainted with unrighteousness.—Jatakamala.

As men sow, thus shall they reap.—Ta-chwang-yan-king-lun.

Actions have their reward, and our deeds have their result.—Mahavagga.

Our deeds are not lost, they will surely come (back again).—Kokaliya-sutta.

Reaping the fruit of right or evil doing, and sharing happiness or misery in consequence.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Your evil thoughts and evil words but hurt yourself.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Hell was not created by any one.... The fire of the angry mind produces the fire of hell, and consumes its possessor. When a person does evil, he lights the fire of hell, and burns with his own fire.—Mulamuli.

People grieve from selfishness.—Jara-sutta.

Doing good we reap good, just as a man who sows that which is sweet (enjoys the same).—Fa-kheu-pi-us.

He who does wrong, O king, comes to feel remorse.... But he who does well feels no remorse, and feeling no remorse, gladness will spring up within him.—Questions of King Milinda.

Morality brings happiness: ... at night one's rest is peaceful, and on waking one is still happy.—Udanavarga.

If, then, you would please me, show pity to that poor wretch.—Nagananda.

Oppressed with others' sufferings.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

A loving heart is the great requirement! ... not to oppress, not to destroy; ... not to exalt oneself by treading down others; but to comfort and befriend those in suffering.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

He cares for and cherishes his people more than one would a naked and perishing child.—Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

The acts and the practice of religion, to wit, sympathy, charity, truthfulness, purity, gentleness, kindness.—Pillar Inscriptions of Asoka.

Go ye, O Brethren, and wander forth, for the gain of the many, the welfare of the many, in compassion for the world, for the good, for the gain, for the welfare of ... men.... Publish, O, Brethren, the doctrine glorious.... Preach ye a life of holiness ... perfect and pure.—Mahavagga.

Go, then, through every country, convert those not converted.... Go, therefore, each one travelling alone; filled with compassion, go! rescue and receive.—Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Have you not heard what Buddha says in the Sutra (where he bids his followers), not to despise the little child?—Ta-chwang-yan-king-lun.

In this mode of salvation there are no distinctions of rich and poor, male and female, people and priests: all are equally able to arrive at the blissful state.—From a Chinese Buddhist Tract.

Even the most unworthy who seeks for salvation is not to be forbidden.—Ta-chwang-yan-king-lun.

Look with friendship ... on the...