remaining like a piece of wood

48. Whenever there is attachment in my mind
and whenever there is the desire to be angry,
I should not do anything nor say anything,
But remain like a piece of wood.

49. Whenever I have distracted thoughts,
the wish to verbally belittle others,
Feelings of self-importance or self-satisfaction;
When I have the intention to describe the faults of others,
Pretension and the thought to deceive others;

50. Whenever I am eager for praise
Or have the desire to blame others;
Whenever I have the wish to speak harshly and cause dispute;
At (all) such times I should remain like a piece of wood.

51. Whenever I desire material gain, honor or fame;
Whenever I seek attendants or a circle of friends,
And when in my mind I wish to be served;
At (all) these times I should remain like a piece of wood.

52. Whenever I have the wish to decrease or to stop working for others
And the desire to pursue my welfare alone...

53. Whenever I have impatience, laziness, cowardice,
Shamelessness or the desire to talk nonsense;
If thoughts of partiality arise,
At these times too I should remain like a piece of wood.

~ Shantideva, A Guide to the Bodhisattvas Way of Life, trans. by Stephen Batchelor