A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

22: Anger
Jā 400 Dabbhapupphajātakaṁ
Quarreling leads to Loss
Two otters catch a huge carp but can't decide
how to divide it. They ask a jackal to arbitrate.
He gives the tail to one, the head to another and
runs off with the rest.
427. Vivādena kisā honti, vivādena dhanakkhayā,
Jīnā uddā vivādena – bhuñja Māyāvi rohitaṁ.
Through quarrels people become lean,
Through quarrels their wealth wastes away,
The otters lost out through quarrels
You should eat the carp, you jackal.
428. Evam-eva manussesu vivādo yattha jāyati
Dhammaṭṭhaṁ paṭidhāvanti, so hi nesaṁ vināyako,
Dhanā pi tattha jīyanti, Rājakoso pavaḍḍhati.
Just so when men start to quarrel
They find a judge, who takes over,
Their wealth will decay on the spot,
And the King's storeroom will increase.
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