The fault of others is easily perceived, but that of oneself is difficult to perceive.
Buddha Dhammapada, Verse 252, Impurity (300 BCE) Translated by F. Max Müller
Source checked by an editor
When and why it was written
- When
- From the chapter on impurity in the Dhammapada.
- Why
- The verse goes on to compare a person sifting a neighbour's faults like chaff while hiding their own.
What it means
We are good critics of other people and poor witnesses of ourselves. The verse names the imbalance without scolding.
Honest writing is one of the few tools that turns the critic's eye inward.
Our reading of the passage cited above, not a quotation from a commentary.
Read the source
Dhammapada by Traditional (Pali Canon), 300 BCE
Your turn
What does this bring up for you?
Saved to this device only. Nothing is sent to a server.
Continue transfers only this reflection. Review your account before saving. Your original browser copy stays here.
Read next
There is no fire like passion, no shark like hatred, no snare like folly, no torrent like greed.
Dhammapada, verse 251 (300 BCE)
However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?
Dhammapada, verse 19 (300 BCE)
All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts.
Dhammapada, Verse 1, The Twin-Verses (300 BCE)