Where is this quote from?

[Luke]

I found this quote online which is attributed to Shakyamuni Buddha:

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell."

Did Buddha really say this? (There are lots of fake or at least incorrect quotes on the internet.)

If so, which part of the Pali Canon is it from?

[mikenz66]

It sounds bogus to me.

Here's a useful blog:
http://www.fakebuddhaquotes.com/
Though it doesn't include that particular quote.


Mike

[santa100]

Maybe this from the Dhammapada ( http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html ):

"Greater in battle
than the man who would conquer
a thousand-thousand men,
is he who would conquer
just one — himself"

[Kare]

It is from Dhammapada, v. 104-105.

[mikenz66]

Thanks all. Here's the Dhammapada quote:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .budd.html

103. Though one may conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he indeed is the noblest victor who conquers himself.

104-105. Self-conquest is far better than the conquest of others. Not even a god, an angel, Mara or Brahma can turn into defeat the victory of a person who is self-subdued and ever restrained in conduct.

Perhaps the expression "heaven and hell" in the quote in the original post isn't a particularly good rendition, though translating verse is always tricky...


Mike

[Luke]

Ah, thank you everyone!

The quote which I found does seem to be written in a way which excites westerners' emotions more than the original quote which serve more to subdue emotions and lead to self-control (what the quote is talking about).

I was looking for a powerful, exciting, authentic Shakyamuni Buddha quote that could excite and and interest teenagers.

The version I found could do that, but it's not authentic, so I think that would be dishonest on my part.

However, the translation Santa posted sounds pretty interesting, too:

Maybe this from the Dhammapada ( http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html ):
"Greater in battle
than the man who would conquer
a thousand-thousand men,
is he who would conquer
just one — himself"

Teenagers will just switch off if they hear words like "self-control" and "self-subdued." lol
Heaven, hell, battles, passions: these things hold their attention better.

[santa100]

very true. If you simply tell teenagers what to do, they won't listen to you. But if you skillfully frame it as a challenge, you'll get their attention. Use their pride and ego to put them on the Noble Path..