Khuddakanikāya Dhammapada Nāgavagga Attadantavatthu Ahaṁ nāgova saṅgāme, cāpato patitaṁ saraṁ; Ativākyaṁ titikkhissaṁ, dussīlo hi bahujjano. Dantaṁ nayanti samitiṁ, dantaṁ rājābhirūhati; Danto seṭṭho manussesu, yotivākyaṁ titikkhati.

The Nāga Vagga

Like an elephant in battle enduring an arrow shot from a bow, I will endure harsh words, for many people are of poor conduct. The tamed are led to assemblies; the tamed are mounted by kings. Among humans, the tamed one who endures harsh words is the best.

Varamassatarā dantā, ājānīyā ca sindhavā; Kuñjarā ca mahānāgā, attadanto tato varaṁ.

Tamed mules, thoroughbreds from Sindh, and great elephants are all considered excellent, but one who has tamed oneself is better.

Hatthācariyapubbakabhikkhuvatthu Na hi etehi yānehi, gaccheyya agataṁ disaṁ; Yathāttanā sudantena, danto dantena gacchati.

Not by these vehicles can one reach the untrodden land, as one who is self-tamed, with a well-tamed mind, reaches it.

Parijiṇṇabrāhmaṇaputtavatthu Dhanapālo nāma kuñjaro, Kaṭukabhedano dunnivārayo; Baddho kabaḷaṁ na bhuñjati, Sumarati nāgavanassa kuñjaro. Pasenadikosalavatthu Middhī yadā hoti mahagghaso ca, Niddāyitā samparivattasāyī; Mahāvarāhova nivāpapuṭṭho, Punappunaṁ gabbhamupeti mando.

The elephant named Dhanapāla, difficult to restrain, with a pungent smell, does not eat a morsel when bound, remembering the elephant forest.

When one is lazy and a glutton, sleeping and rolling about like a fat pig fed on grain, that fool returns to the womb again and again.

Previously, this mind wandered wherever it wished, wherever it desired, wherever it pleased.

Sānusāmaṇeravatthu Idaṁ pure cittamacāri cārikaṁ, Yenicchakaṁ yatthakāmaṁ yathāsukhaṁ; Tadajjahaṁ niggahessāmi yoniso, Hatthippabhinnaṁ viya aṅkusaggaho.

Today, I will restrain it thoroughly, as a mahout controls an elephant with a hook.

Be devoted to heedfulness, protect your mind. Lift yourself from the mire, like an elephant stuck in the mud.

Pāveyyakahatthivatthu Appamādaratā hotha, sacittamanurakkhatha; Duggā uddharathattānaṁ, paṅke sannova kuñjaro.

If one finds a wise companion, who lives righteously and is intelligent, one should travel with him, overcoming all dangers, content and mindful.

Sambahulabhikkhuvatthu Sace labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ, Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāridhīraṁ; Abhibhuyya sabbāni parissayāni, Careyya tenattamano satīmā.

If one does not find a wise companion, who lives righteously and is intelligent, one should travel alone, like a king leaving a conquered kingdom, like an elephant in the forest.

No ce labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ, Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāridhīraṁ; Rājāva raṭṭhaṁ vijitaṁ pahāya, Eko care mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo.

It is better to live alone; there is no companionship with a fool. One should live alone, doing no corrupt, unconcerned, like an elephant in the forest.

Ekassa caritaṁ seyyo, Natthi bāle sahāyatā; Eko care na ca pāpāni kayirā, Appossukko mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo.

Friends are pleasant when need arises; delight is pleasant when shared with others.

Māravatthu Atthamhi jātamhi sukhā sahāyā, Tuṭṭhī sukhā yā itarītarena; Puññaṁ sukhaṁ jīvitasaṅkhayamhi, Sabbassa dukkhassa sukhaṁ pahānaṁ.

Merit is pleasant at the end of life; the abandonment of all suffering is pleasant. Filial piety is pleasant in the world; respect for one's parents is pleasant.

Sukhā matteyyatā loke, atho petteyyatā sukhā; Sukhā sāmaññatā loke, atho brahmaññatā sukhā.

Harmony is pleasant in the world; respect for the noble ones is pleasant.

Sukhaṁ yāva jarā sīlaṁ, sukhā saddhā patiṭṭhitā; Sukho paññāya paṭilābho, pāpānaṁ akaraṇaṁ sukhaṁ. Nāgavaggo tevīsatimo.

Virtue is pleasant until old age; faith firmly established is pleasant. The acquisition of wisdom is pleasant; not doing corrupt is pleasant.