Khuddakanikāya Dhammapada Cittavagga Meghiyattheravatthu Phandanaṁ capalaṁ cittaṁ, dūrakkhaṁ dunnivārayaṁ; Ujuṁ karoti medhāvī, usukārova tejanaṁ.

Chapter on Mind

The mind is restless and unsteady, difficult to guard and restrain. The wise person straightens it, like a fletcher straightens an arrow.

Vārijova thale khitto, okamokataubbhato; Pariphandatidaṁ cittaṁ, māradheyyaṁ pahātave.

Like a fish thrown on dry land, this mind quivers to escape the dominion of Mara.

Aññatarabhikkhuvatthu Dunniggahassa lahuno, yatthakāmanipātino; Cittassa damatho sādhu, cittaṁ dantaṁ sukhāvahaṁ.

For the mind that is difficult to control, swift, and wanders wherever it desires, discipline is beneficial.

Aññataraukkaṇṭhitabhikkhuvatthu Sududdasaṁ sunipuṇaṁ, yatthakāmanipātinaṁ; Cittaṁ rakkhetha medhāvī, cittaṁ guttaṁ sukhāvahaṁ.

A disciplined mind brings happiness.

The wise should guard the mind, which is subtle, elusive, and wanders wherever it desires. A guarded mind brings happiness.

Saṅgharakkhitabhāgineyyattheravatthu Dūraṅgamaṁ ekacaraṁ, asarīraṁ guhāsayaṁ; Ye cittaṁ saṁyamissanti, mokkhanti mārabandhanā.

The mind travels far, wanders alone, is incorporeal, and dwells in the cave of the heart. Those who restrain the mind will be freed from the bonds of Mara.

Cittahatthattheravatthu Anavaṭṭhitacittassa, saddhammaṁ avijānato; Pariplavapasādassa, paññā na paripūrati.

For one whose mind is not settled, who does not know the true Dhamma, whose confidence is wavering, wisdom does not become complete.

Anavassutacittassa, ananvāhatacetaso; Puññapāpapahīnassa, natthi jāgarato bhayaṁ. Pañcasatabhikkhuvatthu Kumbhūpamaṁ kāyamimaṁ viditvā, Nagarūpamaṁ cittamidaṁ ṭhapetvā; Yodhetha māraṁ paññāvudhena, Jitañca rakkhe anivesano siyā.

For one whose mind is not defiled, whose thoughts are not disturbed, who has abandoned merit and demerit, there is no fear for one who is vigilant.

Knowing this body to be like a clay pot, establishing the mind like a fortified city, one should fight Mara with the weapon of wisdom.

Pūtigattatissattheravatthu Aciraṁ vatayaṁ kāyo, pathaviṁ adhisessati; Chuddho apetaviññāṇo, niratthaṁva kaliṅgaraṁ.

Having conquered, one should guard it and not dwell in attachment.

Soon this body will lie on the earth, discarded, devoid of consciousness, like a useless log.

Nandagopālakavatthu Diso disaṁ yaṁ taṁ kayirā, verī vā pana verinaṁ; Micchāpaṇihitaṁ cittaṁ, pāpiyo naṁ tato kare.

In all directions, whatever an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater, a wrongly directed mind can do greater harm.

Soreyyavatthu Na taṁ mātā pitā kayirā, aññe vāpi ca ñātakā; Sammāpaṇihitaṁ cittaṁ, seyyaso naṁ tato kare. Cittavaggo tatiyo.

Neither mother, father, nor any other relative can do as much good as a well-directed mind.