A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

21: Desires
406. Gavaṁ va siṅgino siṅgaṁ vaḍḍhamānassa vaḍḍhati,
Evaṁ mandassa posassa bālassa avijānato
Bhiyyo taṇhā pipāsā ca vaḍḍhamānassa vaḍḍhati.
Just as the two horns of a bull
Develop while he is growing,
Even so for the foolish one,
The one without understanding,
His thirst and craving develop
While they are being satisfied.
407. Pathavyā sāliyavakaṁ, gavassaṁ dāsaporisaṁ,
Datvā pi nālam-ekassa, iti vidvā, samaṁ care.
Even having been given all
The cows, barley and slaves on Earth,
It is not enough for that one,
Understanding this, live in peace.
408. Rājā pasayha pathaviṁ vijitvā
Sasāgarantaṁ mahim-āvasanto,
Oraṁ samuddassa atittarūpo,
Pāraṁ samuddassa pi patthaye 'tha.
A King, having conquered the whole
Of Earth, up to the ocean's edge,
Will still cross over the ocean,
Because he will wish for what is
On the other side of the seas.
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