The Essence of Buddhism | Page 7

who go (to war) and find our delight in
fighting, do evil.... What shall we do that we may cease from evil and do
good?--Mahavagga.
Victory breeds hatred.--Dhammapada.
Therefore has this pious inscription been carved here (on the rock), to the end that
posterity may not suppose that any further conquest ought to be made by them. Let them
not hold that conquest by the sword is worthy the name of conquest; let them see in it
only confusion and violence. Let them reckon as true conquests none save the triumphs
of religion.--Rock Inscriptions of Asoka.
He walks not in religion in a quarrelsome spirit.--Questions of King Milinda.
Nay, ... let not quarrel arise, nor strife, nor discord, nor dispute.--Mahavagga.

Thus he lives as a binder together of those who are divided, an encourager of those who
are friends, a peace-maker, a lover of peace, impassioned for peace, a speaker of words
that make for peace.--Tevijja-sutta.
It is not as a means of procuring my own happiness that I give in charity, but I love
charity that I may do good to the world.--Jatakamala.
Benevolence is the doing of righteous acts of help to living creatures whether of high or
low degree; as when we help a tortoise in trouble, or a sick sparrow, without looking for
any reward.--Tenets of the Soto Sect.
'Tis out of mercy, not with the desire of gain, that the virtuous take care of a person in
distress, nor do they mind whether the other understands this or not.--Jatakamala.
Let him that has a merciful character be my friend.--Bhakti Sataka.
If a man thus walks in the ways of compassion, is it possible that he should hurt anything
intentionally?--Sha-mi-lu-i-yao-lio.
Living in the world, and doing no harm to aught that lives.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.
As he said so he acted.--Vangisa-sutta.
Those who have sin at heart, but are sweet of speech, are like a pitcher smeared with
nectar, but full of poison.--Lalita Vistara.
Like a ... flower that is rich in color, but has no scent, so are the fine ... words of him who
does not act accordingly.--Dhammapada.
The mind must be brought under perfect subjection.--Inscription on Votive Images.
He whose mind is subdued and perfectly controlled is happy.--Udanavarga.
If only the thoughts be directed to that which is right, then happiness must necessarily
follow.--Fa-kheu-pi-u.
Evil he overcame by righteousness.--Questions of King Milinda.
He felt compassion towards those who tormented him.--Attanagalu-vansa.
The bearer of ill-will towards them that bear ill-will can never become pure; but he who
bears no ill-will pacifies them that hate.--Udanavarga.
The man who foolishly does me wrong, I will return him the protection of my ungrudging
love.--Sutra of Forty-two Sections.
Whether of the higher class of beings, as ... a perfect man, ... or of the lower class of
beings, as a grasshopper or the smallest insect--in one word, whatever hath life thou shalt
not kill.--Sha-mi-lu-i-yao-lio.

To whom even the life of a serpent is sacred.--Lalita Vistara.
I love living things that have no feet, ... four-footed creatures, and things with many
feet.... May all creatures, all things that live, all beings of whatever kind, may they all
behold good fortune.--Cullavagga.
You do not well enticing me to a sinful act. And what you say, that "nobody else will
know of it"--will it be less sinful for this reason?--Jatakamala.
There is no such thing as secrecy in wrongdoing.--Jataka.
Even could she have kept it secret from men, ... could she have kept it secret from
spirit, ... could she have kept it secret from the gods, yet she could not have escaped
herself from the knowledge of her sin.--Questions of King Milinda.
Clad in garments pure as the moonbeams, ... her ornaments modesty and virtuous
conduct.--Ajanta Cave Inscriptions.
If you speak ... to a woman, do it with pureness of heart.... Say to yourself: "Placed in this
sinful world, let me be as the spotless lily, unsoiled by the mire in which it grows." Is she
old? regard her as your mother. Is she honorable? as your sister. Is She of small account?
as a younger sister. Is she a child? then treat her with reverence and politeness.--Sutra of
Forty-two Sections.
Gentle and true, simple and kind was she, Noble of mien, with gracious speech to all,
And gladsome looks--a pearl of womanhood.
--Sir Edwin Arnold.
Do not have evil-doers for friends.... Take as your friends the best of
men.--Dhammapada.
Briefly I will tell you the marks of a friend-- When doing wrong, to warn; when doing
well, to exhort to perseverance; When in difficulty or danger, to assist, relieve, and
deliver. Such a man is indeed a true and illustrious friend.
--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.
His friendship is prized by the gentle and the good.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.
Living ... without cruelty among the cruel.--Udanavarga.
The Scripture said: "Be kind