On Loving-Kindness: the original, side by side

Those who are skilled in the meaning of scripture should practice as follows <j>to realize the state of peace.

Here's what someone should do if they want to live well and find real peace.

Let them be capable and upright, very upright, easy to speak to, gentle and humble;

Be capable and honest — genuinely, deeply honest. Be open to guidance. Be gentle. Don't carry yourself like you're better than anyone.

content and unburdensome, unbusied, living lightly, alert, with senses calmed, courteous, not fawning on families.

Live simply, with few wants. Be easy to please and easy to support. Don't take on more than you need to. Stay calm and clear-headed. Don't be pushy, and don't cling to people just for what they can give you.

Let them not do the slightest thing that others who are wise would blame.

And never do even the smallest thing that thoughtful people would later look at and shake their heads over.

May they be happy and safe! May all beings be happy!

Now, hold this wish in your heart: may everyone be at ease, may everyone be safe, may everyone be happy.

Whatever living creatures there are with not a one left out—

And mean everyone — no exceptions. Whatever's alive out there: the fragile and the strong, every one of them.

frail or firm, long or large, medium, small, tiny or round,

The big, the small, the in-between.

seen or unseen, living far or near,

The ones you can see and the ones you can't. The ones nearby and the ones far away.

those who have been born <j>and those about to be born— may all beings be happy!

The ones already here and the ones not yet born. May all of them, without leaving a single one out, be happy.

Let none deceive another, nor look down on anyone anywhere. Though provoked or aggrieved, let them not wish pain on each other.

Don't deceive anyone. Don't look down on anyone, anywhere. Don't let anger or resentment make you wish harm on another person.

Even as a mother would protect with her life her child, her only child, so too for all creatures unfold a boundless heart.

Think of how a mother would protect her only child — willing to put her own life on the line for it. Hold that same care toward every living thing — a heart without limit.

With love for the whole world, unfold a boundless heart: above, below, all round, unconstricted, without enmity or foe.

Let that goodwill fill the whole world — above you, below you, all around you — with no walls in it, no grudge, no enemy anywhere in it.

When standing, walking, sitting, or lying down while yet unweary, keep this ever in mind; for this, they say, is a divine meditation <j>in this life.

Whether you're standing, walking, sitting, or lying down — for as long as you're awake — keep this in your heart. This is what they call divine living — right here, in this life.

Avoiding harmful views, virtuous, accomplished in insight, with desire for sensual pleasures dispelled, they never return to a womb again.

And the one who lives like this — who doesn't get trapped in rigid opinions, who's decent and sees clearly, who's worked through the pull of craving — that person is free, and won't be caught in this whole cycle again.