dhammapada four
Just as a bee extracts the flower's nectar without disturbing the flower's color or scent, the Sage moves through town and quickly passes on.
Do not reflect upon the missteps of others, their deeds and misdeeds, but rather look upon what you yourself have done and left undone.
Comments
This is no way meant to be disrespectful, but it may get a chuckle from Daniel....
Mama-san say- he who bleed on carpet because of broken weapon rule, get stitches in foot.
Posted by: Little Joe | June 24, 2002 3:51 PM
Does that mean it's a bad thing to learn from the mistakes of others, and a good thing to make those same mistakes when they could've been avoided? I must be misunderstanding something here :-)
Posted by: Simon | June 24, 2002 4:43 PM
Simon: Naw, I don't think that's what it means. It's just that we put so much energy into examining the faults of others, and it would be so much more useful if we put more of that energy into examining our own situation.
Posted by: Daniel Talsky | June 24, 2002 6:31 PM
I think it's more along the lines of "Judge not, lest ye be judged."
Michel de Montaigne said:
"We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom."
And, back to the Dhammapada:
"To straighten the crooked, you must first do a harder thing-- straighten yourself.
Posted by: nathaniel | June 24, 2002 6:42 PM
So, uh... what daniel said.
Posted by: nathaniel | June 24, 2002 6:45 PM
Yes, Little Joe, I see you have learned your lesson well.
Posted by: Mama-san | June 25, 2002 11:56 AM
Really enjoyed the site:)
Posted by: Daphne | June 25, 2002 12:28 PM
Yes, little joe...you are truly wise.
Posted by: Daniel Talsky | June 25, 2002 1:23 PM
Thanks for clarifying that, Daniel!
Posted by: Simon | June 26, 2002 2:33 PM