A piece of wood (chapter 5)

To cover all the earth with sheets of leather Where could such amounts of skin be found? But with the leather soles of just my shoes It is as though I cover all the earth! [Instrumental] [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? When in wild, unruly crowds, I’m careful and attentive of my wounds; Likewise, when in evil company, This wound, my mind, I’ll constantly protect. For if I carefully protect my wounds Because I fear the pain of minor injuries, Why should I not protect the wound that is my mind, For fear of being crushed beneath the cliffs of hell? [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? My property, my honor—all can freely go, My body and my livelihood as well. And even other virtues may decline, But never will I let my mind regress. All you who would protect your minds, Maintain your mindfulness and introspection; Guard them both, at cost of life and limb, I join my hands, beseeching you! [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? If at the outset, when I check my mind, I find that it is tainted with some fault, I shall be still and self-possessed, Unmoving like a piece of wood. I shall never, vacantly, Allow my gaze to wander all around, But rather with a focused mind Will always go with eyes cast down. [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? And when you feel the wish to move about, Or even to express yourself in speech, First examine what is in your mind. For steadfast ones should act correctly. When the urge arises in your mind To feelings of desire or angry hate, Do not act! Be silent, do not speak! And like a log of wood be sure to stay. [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? With perfect and unyielding faith, With steadfastness, respect, and courtesy, With conscientiousness and awe, Work calmly for the happiness of others. Let us not be downcast by the warring wants Of childish persons quarreling. Their thoughts are bred from conflict and emotion. Let us understand and treat them lovingly. [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? But all this must be acted out in truth, For what is to be gained by mouthing syllables? What invalid was ever helped By merely reading in the doctor’s treatises? If at the outset, when I check my mind, I find that it is tainted with some fault, I shall be still and self-possessed, Unmoving like a piece of wood. I shall never, vacantly, Allow my gaze to wander all around, But rather with a focused mind Will always go with eyes cast down. [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? And when you feel the wish to move about, Or even to express yourself in speech, First examine what is in your mind. For steadfast ones should act correctly. When the urge arises in your mind To feelings of desire or angry hate, Do not act! Be silent, do not speak! And like a log of wood be sure to stay. [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? With perfect and unyielding faith, With steadfastness, respect, and courtesy, With conscientiousness and awe, Work calmly for the happiness of others. Let us not be downcast by the warring wants Of childish persons quarreling. Their thoughts are bred from conflict and emotion. Let us understand and treat them lovingly. [Chours] And thus the outer course of things I myself cannot restrain. But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? But all this must be acted out in truth, For what is to be gained by mouthing syllables? What invalid was ever helped By merely reading in the doctor’s treatises? But let me just restrain my mind, And what is left to be restrained? But all this must be acted out in truth, For what is to be gained by mouthing syllables? What invalid was ever helped By merely reading in the doctor’s treatises?