A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

10: Association 1
Jā 384 Dhammadhajajātakaṁ
Deceitful Appearances
A crow pretends to be a holy ascetic who lives on
air alone, but secretly eats the eggs and young of
other birds when left alone. Eventually he is
caught and put to death.
200. Vācāya sakhilo manoviduggo,
Channo kūpasayo va kaṇhasappo,
Dhammadhajo gāmanigamesu sādhu,
Dujjāno purisena bālisena.
Kindly in speech, his mind hidden away,
Like a black snake dwelling in a dark hole,
Virtuous and righteous in the village,
The foolish find him hard to recognise.
The Second Hundred
138