True persons give up everything,

they don’t cajole for the things they desire.

Though touched by sadness or happiness,

the astute appear neither depressed nor elated.

Never wish for success by unjust means,

for your own sake or that of another,

desiring children, wealth, or nation;

rather, be virtuous, wise, and just.

Few are those among humans

who cross to the far shore.

The rest just run around

on the near shore.

When the teaching is well explained,

the people who practice accordingly

will cross over

Death’s dominion so hard to pass.

Rid of dark qualities,

an astute person would develop the bright.

Having left home for homelessness

in seclusion, where joy is hard,

they’d long for satisfaction there.

Forsaking sensual pleasures, owning nothing,

an astute person would cleanse themselves

of mental corruptions.

And those whose minds are rightly developed

in the awakening factors;

who, letting go of attachments,

delight in not grasping:

with defilements ended, brilliant,

they are quenched in this world.

Minor Collection Sayings of the Dhamma 90–99 7. The Perfected Ones