Theragāthā

Verses of the Senior Monks

Chapter of the Twos

2.47. Anūpa­ma

The conceited mind, addicted to pleasure,
Impales itself on its own stake.
It goes only where
There’s a stake, a chopping block.

I declare you the demon mind!
I declare you the insidious mind!
You’ve found the teacher so hard to find—
Don’t lead me away from the goal.