Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

FIRMLY HOLDING BY THE LAW. 127
conduct) ? If you are able, be pleased to answer these
questions for the sake of my followers."
On this the World-honoured, perceiving exactly how
the case lay, answered in these stanzas :
" The man who is always anxious and desirous
to learn, who walks uprightly, who ponders on and
considers the character of precious wisdom, this
man is called Just (i.e., Righteous; one who has
attained the way, or B6dhi). And who is the man
of Knowledge ? He who depends not on any fine
distinction of words —who is free from fear and from
apprehension, who stands by what is right—he is
the man of Knowledge. And who is the Eeverend
man (aged) ? Not he who has come to old age
(sexegenairian)— ^his form bent, his hair white—for
with all that he may be but a fool. But he who
ponders on and inquires into the Law (the Dharnla),
who regulates and restrains his conduct, (is full of)
love and virtue, who is able to penetrate into
hidden secrets, and is pure—this man is rightly
called ' Eeverend,' And who is the graceful and
perfect man? Not he who possesses beauty of
form like the flowers (that charm us) ; not he who
covets and longs for the empty vanities of personal
adornment; not he whose words and conduct are
opposed to one another ; but he who is able to
give up every vicious way, who has got rid of it
from the very root, who is enlightened without a
remnant of hatred— this man is truly graceful and
upright (or respectable, i.e., admirable in conduct).^
1 The phrase tvjan eking properly means "upright in conduct."
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