Dhammapada — Chapter 12: Attavagga
10 verses
Verse 1
If one holds oneself dear, one should guard oneself well. During any of the three watches of life, the wise one should keep vigil.
Verse 2
One should first establish oneself in what is proper, and then instruct others. Thus the wise one will not be stained.
Verse 3
As one instructs others, so should one act oneself. Only the well-disciplined should discipline others. Truly, the self is difficult to tame.
Verse 4
The self is the master of the self. Who else could be the master? With the self well-tamed, one gains a master that is hard to find.
Verse 5
Evil done by oneself, born of oneself, produced by oneself, crushes the witless one, as a diamond grinds the gem from which it came.