Than a thousand sayings whose words are unconducive to spiritual wellbeing, better is one meaningful saying on hearing which one becomes inwardly at peace.

Than a thousand verses whose words are unconducive to spiritual wellbeing, better is one word of a verse, on hearing which one becomes inwardly at peace.

Though one might recite a hundred verses whose words are unconducive to spiritual well-being, better is one word of the teaching, on hearing which one becomes inwardly at peace.

Though in battle one might conquer a million men, he who conquers just one thing, his ego, he is victorious in the greatest of battles.

The conquest of one’s ego is indeed better than this [wretched] conquest of other folk. For a man who has tamed his ego, who is ever restrained in conduct, no deva, or heavenly musician, or māra plus brahmā can turn into defeat the victory of such a person.

If someone performed sacrifices a thousand times a month for a century, but then venerated even for a moment someone who had spiritually developed himself, that veneration would be certainly better than those sacrifices for a century.

If a person venerated fire in the forest for a century, but then venerated even for a moment someone who had spiritually developed himself, that veneration would be certainly better than that [fire] veneration for a century.

Whatever gift or offering is bestowed in the world in the course of a year by one looking for merit is not worth a quarter [of what is better, namely]: paying respects to those who are spiritually purified is better.

For one who habitually pays respect to and constantly honours those who are [possessed of qualities that make them] Elders, four things increase: his lifespan, good looks, happiness, and strength.

Better than the life of one who lives a hundred years unvirtuously and inwardly uncollected, is the life of a single day of one who is virtuous and meditative.

Better than the life of one who lives a hundred years void of penetrative discernment and who is inwardly uncollected, is the life of a single day of one who is blessed with penetrative discernment and who is meditative.

Better than the life of one who lives a hundred years lazily and slothfully, is the life of a single day of one who is resolutely and energetically applied [to the practice].

Better than the life of one who lives a hundred years not contemplating arising and disappearance, is the life of a single day of one who contemplates arising and disappearance.

Better than the life of one who lives a hundred years not realising the Deathless State, is the life of a single day of one who realises the Deathless State.

Better than the life of one who lives a hundred years not understanding the supreme teaching, is the life of a single day of one who understands the supreme teaching.