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THOUSANDS [1] Better than a thousand phrases built with meaningless words is one single meaningful word which brings tranquillity to the hearer. [2] Better than a thousand verses built with meaningless words is one single verse that brings tranquillity to the hearer. [3] Better than a hundred verses built with meaningless words on the lips is one single word of the Law that tranquilises you when you hear it. [4] One may conquer thousands and thousands of men in a battle, but he is the best among conquerors who has conquered himself. [5 & 6] Better to have conquered one's own self than to have conquered all these peoples. And if one has conquered the self and moves always self-controlled, neither gods nor angels nor Mara nor even Brahma can change that victory of his into defeat. [7] If month after month one offers sacrifices by thousands for one hundred years and if one worships an accomplished soul even for a single moment, then this worship is greater than the other hundred-year sacrifice. [8] If for hundred years one tended the fire in a forest, and if one worshipped an accomplished soul even for a single moment, then that worship is worth more than the sacrifice done through hundred years. [9] Whatever sacrifice or
offering is made in this world for a whole
Page – 212 year, in expectation of merit, is not worth even a fourth part of that greater thing, the homage done to the Righteous. [10] In him who is always full of respect for the aged, these four attributes increase; life, beauty, happiness and strength. [11] Better than one who lives a hundred years in immorality and dissipation is one who lives a single day in righteousness and contemplation. [12] Better than one who lives a hundred years in ignorance and dissipation is the one who lives one single day in wisdom and meditation. [13] Better than one who lives a hundred years in indolence and inertia is the one who lives a single day in strength and energy. [14] Better than one who lives a hundred years seeing neither the beginning nor the end is the one who lives a single day seeing both the beginning and the end. [15] Better than one who lives a hundred years and does not see the seat of immortality is one who lives a single day but sees the seat of immortality. [16] Better than one who lives
a hundred years not seeing the Supreme Law is the one who lives a single day
but sees the Supreme Law.
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