南傳法句經 第八 千品（100～115偈）
〈简〉
法增比丘譯
（Dhammavaro Bhikkhu）
100、
徒誦千句言，
無義理之語，
不如一益語*，
聞已得寂靜。
* 益語：Attha義、道理。
101、
徒誦千首偈，
無義理之語，
不如一益偈，
聞已得寂靜。
102、
徒誦百首偈*，
無義理之語，
不如一法語，
聞已得寂靜。
*偈（Gatha，pada）
103、
匹夫上戰場，
千戰勝千敵，
莫如能勝己，
彼最勝戰士。
104、
勝己為最賢，
遠勝於勝眾，
是故勝己者，
梵魔無能勝。
105、
天神音樂神1，
惡魔與梵天2，
皆莫能勝彼，
自御克己者。
1.（Gandhabba乾達婆）。
2.（Brahma）。
106、
月月祭千金，
祭祀供百年，
未若須臾頃，
供養修己者，
如是之供養，
勝祭祀百年。
107、
林中拜火神*，
事火一百年，
未若須臾頃，
供養修己者，
如是之供養，
勝祭祀百年。
（106，107兩偈合誦）
*火神（Aggi）。
108、
若人於世間，
供犧牲祭祀，
求福滿一年，
彼如是功德，
未若四分一，
禮敬正直者1。
*正直者：預流果或初果。
109、
尊賢與敬老，
四事得增長，
壽命與容顏，
喜悅與毅力。
110、
若人活百年，
破戒不修定，
不如活一日，
持戒與修定。
111、
若人活百年，
無智無禪定，
不如活一日，
具慧修禪定。
112、
若人活百年，
怠惰不精進，
不如活一日，
堅心行精進。
113、
若人活百年，
不見生滅法，
不如活一日，
得解生滅法。
114、
若人活百年，
不見不死*道，
不如活一日，
得睹不死道。
*不死：Amatam padam涅槃。
115、
若人活百年，
不見無上諦*，
不如活一日，
得睹無上諦。
*無上諦：九出世間法～四道、四果與涅槃。
Sahassavagga: Thousands
translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
100-102
Better than if there were thousands of meaningless words is one meaningful word that on hearing brings peace. Better than if there were thousands of meaningless verses is one meaningful verse that on hearing brings peace. And better than chanting hundreds of meaningless verses is one Dhamma-saying that on hearing brings peace.
103-105
Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one — himself. Better to conquer yourself than others. When you've trained yourself, living in constant self-control, neither a deva nor gandhabba, nor a Mara banded with Brahmas, could turn that triumph back into defeat.
106-108
You could, month by month, at a cost of thousands, conduct sacrifices a hundred times, or pay a single moment's homage to one person, self-cultivated. Better than a hundred years of sacrifices would that act of homage be. You could, for a hundred years, live in a forest tending a fire, or pay a single moment's homage to one person, self-cultivated. Better than a hundred years of sacrifices would that act of homage be.
Everything offered or sacrificed in the world for an entire year by one seeking merit doesn't come to a fourth. Better to pay respect to those who've gone the straight way.
109
If you're respectful by habit, constantly honoring the worthy, four things increase: long life, beauty, happiness, strength.
110-115
Better than a hundred years lived without virtue, uncentered, is one day lived by a virtuous person absorbed in jhana.
And better than a hundred years lived undiscerning, uncentered, is one day lived by a discerning person absorbed in jhana.
And better than a hundred years lived apathetic & unenergetic, is one day lived energetic & firm.
And better than a hundred years lived without seeing arising & passing away, is one day lived seeing arising & passing away.
And better than a hundred years lived without seeing the Deathless state, is one day lived seeing the Deathless state.
And better than a hundred years lived without seeing the ultimate Dhamma, is one day lived seeing the ultimate Dhamma.