Verses on effort, habit and the victory that only you can win.
Though one may conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he indeed is the noblest victor who conquers himself.
One truly is the protector of oneself; who else could the protector be? With oneself fully controlled, one gains a mastery that is hard to gain.
Irrigators regulate the rivers; fletchers straighten the arrow shaft; carpenters shape the wood; the wise control themselves.
By effort and heedfulness, discipline and self-mastery, let the wise one make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.
Hasten to do good; restrain your mind from evil. He who is slow in doing good, his mind delights in evil.
You yourselves must strive; the Buddhas only point the way. Those meditative ones who tread the path are released from the bonds of Mara.