A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

22: Anger
Jā 443 Cullabodhijātakaṁ
Anger Burns
A King takes away an ascetic's former wife, but
the ascetic (the Bodhisatta) doesn't get angry, and
the wife refuses the King's advances. The King
enquires as to why the ascetic doesn't get angry.
420. Kaṭṭhasmiṁ matthamānasmiṁ pāvako nāma jāyati,
Tam-eva kaṭṭhaṁ ḍahati yasmā so jāyate gini.
Fire surely arises
In firewood when kindled,
Because of the firewood
There arises a fire.
421. Evaṁ mandassa posassa bālassa avijānato,
Sārambhā jāyate kodho, so pi teneva ḍayhati.
Even so the foolish
Have anger arising
From reckless behaviour,
And by that they are burnt.
289