Dhammapada verses 256-272 emphasize the qualities that define true wisdom, nobility, and spiritual attainment. These verses critique superficial markers such as age, outward appearance, or rituals. The chapter underscores the importance of avoiding harm, evaluating actions with discernment, and not resting content until there is the complete elimination of mental defilements.

The spiritual life is not lived for the purpose of deceiving people, nor for the purpose of winning favor with people, nor for the sake of acquisitions, respect, and popularity, nor for the thought 'Let people know me.' But rather, this spiritual life is lived for the purpose of restraint and for the purpose of letting go.

The spiritual life is not lived for the purpose of deceiving people, nor for the purpose of winning favor with people, nor for the sake of acquisitions, respect, and popularity, nor for the thought 'Let people know me.' But rather, this spiritual life is lived for the purpose of direct knowledge and full understanding.

The Buddha describes the qualities of true disciples, and those who do not grow in the Dhamma.

The Buddha distinguishes pleasant abidings in the here and now from the way of effacement leading upwards to complete quenching. Effacement is shown as the gradual chipping away of defilements through restraint, cultivation of the noble eightfold path, and diligent training, culminating in the complete freedom of Nibbāna.

The Buddha describes three types of people - the blind, the one-eyed, and the two-eyed.

The Buddha sits silently among the Saṅgha of bhikkhus on an Uposatha night when the assembly wasn't pure. Afterwards, the Buddha explains the eight wonderful and marvelous qualities of the Dhamma and Vinaya, likening them to similarly wonderful qualities of the great ocean.