Dhammapada verses 320–333 highlight self-discipline, wisdom, and perseverance through the imagery of elephants. They highlight inner mastery over strength, the value of solitude over company of immature persons, and the importance of taming one’s mind. Honoring parents, cultivating virtue, and letting go of suffering lead to true ease.

Dhammapada verses 383–423 redefine 'Brāhmaṇa' (sage) by inner attainment, not birth or appearance. Through effort, a true sage cuts craving, understands reality, and realizes Nibbāna. Fearless, detached, pure, and restrained, they embody non-violence and patience. Free from defilements and attachments, having overcome suffering and rebirth, the sage achieves the ultimate goal, radiating wisdom and peace.

The Buddha advises to live with training as the benefit, wisdom as the north star, liberation as the essence, ruled by mindfulness.

The Buddha describes three occasions when divine sounds arise among the gods.

The Buddha distinguishes peaceful 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.

Verses describing the characteristics of a false friend—one who disregards conscience and speaks without sincerity—contrasted with a true friend whose loyalty is unbreakable and whose actions reflect inner integrity. It further speaks to the joy and peace found in virtuous conduct, seclusion, and the realization of the Dhamma.

Verses urging one to rise from negligence, train steadfastly for the state of peace, and not waste the fleeting opportunity of the present moment. The teaching emphasizes the urgency of effort with the imagery of the afflicted pierced by a dart and the King of Death misleading one who remains negligent.

The Buddha uses the simile of a log of wood carried by a river to explain the eight obstacles to reaching Nibbāna.

The Buddha explains how to rein in the mind when desire, passion, aversion, illusion, or repulsion arises in regard to the six sense bases using the simile of a watchman and an ox and the simile of a lute.

The Noble Eightfold Path is the path and the way of practice for the realization of enlightenment.

The Buddha explains the importance of developing a radiant mind, a mind of loving-kindness and the consequences of negligence, diligence, and laziness.

The Buddha explains the consequences of negligence and diligence, laziness and arousing of energy, having many desires and having few wishes, discontentment and contentment, unwise and wise attention, full awareness and lack of it, bad and good friendships, and good and bad habits.

The Buddha lists the mental qualities that form the internal factors leading to harm or benefit, the qualities that lead to the decline or continuity of the true Dhamma, and the actions that lead to the harm of many people.

The Buddha describes the three divine messengers that appear among human beings and what happens to those who do not heed their message.

The Buddha describes three cases where vigour should be applied.

A radiant deity visits the Buddha and shares six qualities that ensure the non-decline of a bhikkhu - 1) respect for the Teacher, 2) the Dhamma, 3) the Saṅgha, 4) the training, 5) diligence, and 6) courteousness. The Buddha affirms these qualities as supportive of progress toward Nibbāna.

A radiant deity visits the Buddha and shares six qualities that ensure the non-decline of a bhikkhu - 1) respect for the Teacher, 2) the Dhamma, 3) the Saṅgha, 4) the training, 5) conscience, and 6) moral dread. The Buddha confirms these as conditions for stability and progress on the path.