17. Anger

 When a man governs his rising anger like a chariot going out of control, that is what I call a charioteer. The rest are just holding the reins. 222 

 Overcome anger with freedom from anger. Overcome evil with good. Overcome meanness with generosity, and overcome a liar with truthfulness. 223 

 Speak the truth, don't get angry, and always give, even if only a little, when you are asked. By these three principles you can come into the company of the devas. 224 

 Those sages who do harm to no-one, and who are always physically restrained, go to the everlasting abode, reaching which they will face no more suffering. 225 

 Inflowing thoughts come to an end in those who are ever alert of mind, training themselves night and day, and ever intent on nirvana. 226 

 It was so of old, Atula. It is not just so today. They criticise him who sits in silence, they criticise him who talks a lot. They even criticise him who speaks in moderation. There is not a man in the world who is not criticised. 227 

 There never has been, there never will be, and there is not now any man exclusively criticised or exclusively praised. 228 

 If a wise man of unblemished behaviour and endowed with wisdom, morality and stillness of mind, is praised by the discriminating after day in day out acquaintance with him, like a pure gold coin, then who is fit to find fault with him? Even the King of the devas praises him. 229, 230 

 Guard against physical unruliness. Be restrained in body. Abandoning physical wrong doing, lead a life of physical well doing. 231 

 Guard against mental unruliness. Be restrained in mind. Abandoning mental wrong doing, lead a life of mental well doing. 232 

 Guard against verbal unruliness. Be restrained in speech. Abandoning verbal wrong doing, lead a life of verbal well doing. 233 

 The wise who are restrained in body, speech and mind - such are the well and truly restrained. 234