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Dhammapada verses 221-234 emphasize abandoning anger, pride, and mental defilements while cultivating restraint in body, speech, and mind. The verses highlight overcoming harmful actions by giving and speaking truth, the inevitability of criticism, and the value of moral discipline. Those intent on Nibbāna, ever watchful, and well-restrained are beyond reproach and honored even by the gods.
Kodha vagga - Chapter 17 - Anger
221
One should abandon anger and renounce pride, and break free from every fetter; For one unattached to name and form, owning nothing, suffering does not follow.
222
One who restrains arisen anger, as one halts a veering chariot; I call that person a charioteer, others are merely holding the reins.
223
Overcome anger with non-anger, the unvirtuous with what is good; Overcome stinginess with giving, and false speech with truth.
224
Speak what is true, yield not to anger;, when asked, give even if you only have a little; By [cultivating] these three qualities, one goes to the company of the gods.
225
Those sages who do not harm, continuously restrained in body; Go to the stable state, where, having gone, they grieve no more.
226
For those ever watchful, training themselves by day and night; Firmly resolved on Nibbāna, the taints come to an end.
227
This is an ancient saying, Atula, not something only said today— They are blamed who sit silently, who often speak are also blamed; Even one who speaks moderately is blamed, there is no one in the world who is not blamed.
228
There never was, there never will be, nor is there now found; A person who is entirely blamed, or one who is wholly praised.
229
The one whom the wise praise, having examined day by day; Of flawless conduct and sound judgement, endowed with virtue, collectedness, and wisdom—
230
Like pure gold from the Jambu River, who could rightly criticize such a person? Even the gods praise that one, and Brahmā himself honors them.
231
One should guard against irritability in bodily action, be restrained in bodily actions; Having abandoned bodily misconduct, one should practice good bodily conduct.
232
One should guard against irritability in speech, be restrained in speech; Having abandoned verbal misconduct, one should practice good conduct in speech.
233
One should guard against irritability in thought, be restrained in mind; Abandoning mental misconduct, one should practice good conduct in thought.
234
The wise are restrained in bodily action, restrained in speech; and restrained in thought, they are truly well-restrained.