Verse 258

Dhammapada Verse 258

The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus

Once, there was a group of six bhikkhus who made trouble at the place of eating either in the monastery or in the village. One day, while some samaneras were, having their alms-food, the group of six bhikkhus came in and said boastfully to the samaneras, "Look! We only are the wise." Then they started throwing things about, leaving the place of eating in disorder. When the Buddha was told about this, he said, "Bhikkhus! I do not say that one who talks much, abuses and bullies others is a wise man. Only he who is free from hatred, and harms no one is a wise man."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Na tena pandito hoti
yavata bahu bhasati
khemi averi abhayo
"pandito" ti pavuccati.

Verse 258: He is not a wise man just because he talks much; only he who is peaceful, free from enmity, and does no harm to others, is to be called 'a wise man'.