法句经（Sujato 英译）第 12 品 · 12. The Self · DHP 157–166

Minor CollectionMinor CollectionSayings of the Dhamma 157–166Sayings of the Dhamma 157–16612. The Self12. The Self

If you knew your self as beloved,If you knew your self as beloved,you’d look after it so well.you’d look after it so well.In one of the night’s three watches,In one of the night’s three watches,

an astute person would remain alert.an astute person would remain alert.The astute would avoid being corruptedThe astute would avoid being corruptedby first grounding themselvesby first grounding themselves

in what is suitable,in what is suitable,and then instructing others.and then instructing others.If one were to treat oneselfIf one were to treat oneself

as one instructs another,as one instructs another,the well-tamed indeed would tame:the well-tamed indeed would tame:for the self, it seems, is hard to tame.for the self, it seems, is hard to tame.

One is indeed the lord of oneself,One is indeed the lord of oneself,for who else would be one’s lord?for who else would be one’s lord?By means of a well-tamed self,By means of a well-tamed self,

one gains a lord that’s rare indeed.one gains a lord that’s rare indeed.For the evil that is done by oneself,For the evil that is done by oneself,born and produced in oneself,born and produced in oneself,

grinds down a simpleton,grinds down a simpleton,as diamond grinds a lesser gem.as diamond grinds a lesser gem.One choked by immorality,One choked by immorality,

as a sal tree by a creeper,as a sal tree by a creeper,does to themselvesdoes to themselveswhat a foe only wishes.what a foe only wishes.

It’s easy to do bad thingsIt’s easy to do bad thingsharmful to oneself,harmful to oneself,but good things that are helpfulbut good things that are helpful

are the hardest things to do.are the hardest things to do.On account of wicked views—On account of wicked views—scorning the guidancescorning the guidance

of the perfected ones,of the perfected ones,the noble ones living righteously—the noble ones living righteously—the idiot begets their own self’s demise,the idiot begets their own self’s demise,

like the bamboo bearing fruit.like the bamboo bearing fruit.For it is by oneself that evil’s done,For it is by oneself that evil’s done,one is corrupted by oneself.one is corrupted by oneself.

It’s by oneself that evil’s not done,It’s by oneself that evil’s not done,one is purified by oneself.one is purified by oneself.Purity and impurity are personal matters,Purity and impurity are personal matters,

no one can purify another.no one can purify another.Never neglect what is good for yourselfNever neglect what is good for yourselffor the sake of another, however great.for the sake of another, however great.

Knowing well what is good for yourself,Knowing well what is good for yourself,be intent upon your heart’s goal.be intent upon your heart’s goal.