SN 1.77 Authority

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Kiṁsu issariyaṁ loke,

“What is authority in the world?

kiṁsu bhaṇḍānamuttamaṁ;

What’s the best of valuables?

Kiṁsu satthamalaṁ loke,

What in the world is a rusty sword?

kiṁsu lokasmimabbudaṁ.

Who is a pest in the world?

Kiṁsu harantaṁ vārenti,

Who gets arrested when they take things away?

haranto pana ko piyo;

And who is loved when they take things away?

Kiṁsu punappunāyantaṁ,

And who is approved by the astute

abhinandanti paṇḍitā”ti.

when they come again and again?”

“Vaso issariyaṁ loke,

“Sway is authority in the world.

itthī bhaṇḍānamuttamaṁ;

A woman is the best of valuables.

Kodho satthamalaṁ loke,

Anger in the world is a rusty sword.

corā lokasmimabbudā.

A bandit is a pest in the world.

Coraṁ harantaṁ vārenti,

A bandit gets arrested when they take things away.

haranto samaṇo piyo;

And an ascetic is loved when they take things away.

Samaṇaṁ punappunāyantaṁ,

An ascetic is approved by the astute

abhinandanti paṇḍitā”ti.

when they come again and again.”