Dhammapada — Chapter 11: Jaravagga
11 verses
Verse 1
What laughter, what joy, when the world is ever burning? Shrouded in darkness, will you not seek a light?
Verse 2
Behold this beautiful body, a mass of sores propped up, ailing, full of many thoughts — in which nothing lasts, nothing endures.
Verse 3
Worn out is this form, a nest of diseases, falling apart. This putrid body dissolves, for life indeed ends in death.
Verse 4
Like gourds cast away in autumn are these dove-grey bones. What pleasure is there in seeing them?
Verse 5
A citadel made of bones, plastered with flesh and blood, wherein are stored old age and death, pride and contempt.