Full Moon – Helpful Advice – Friday 1st May, 2026

It is wise
to set ourselves right
before instructing others.

Dhammapada 158

Most of us have probably heard this teaching at some stage in our lives. Though have we ever really stopped to consider it? Have we taken it to heart? Or are we still a little bit quick to try to set others right?

If we are overly idealistic, we might grasp at the opposite position and assume that we shouldn’t make any effort at all to offer guidance to others until we have already reached deep realisation.

A balanced approach, which I suggest this verse is pointing to, would be one of not grasping at either extreme. Rather, that we make the effort to prioritize setting ourselves right over pointing out other's limitations.

A useful way of assessing whether our efforts are balanced or compulsive, is to bring to mind, ‘whole-being awareness’, and wait. Can we skilfully inhibit the impulse to try to set others right, or do we just have to tell them. If it is the latter, then however helpful our suggestion might potentially be, it is polluted by our being driven.

(This post is also available at dhammakatha.org)

These Dhammapada quotes have been taken or adapted from, A Dhammapada For Contemplation, by Ajahn Munindo, published by Aruno Publications. They should not be understood as literal renderings of the Dhammapada. For literal translations, please read other works. The reflections are by Ajahn Munindo.

All content strictly for free distribution only.