Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hostile person may do to another; a mind that is wrongly directed, inflicts on oneself greater harm.
-- DhammaPada Verse 42
Not even one's mother or father, or any other relatives; can do as much good, as a mind that is rightly directed.
-- DhammaPada Verse 43
Picture: Puddle, M.C. Escher, 1952
Related Teachings:
Cetokhila sutta - Barriers Of The Mind (MN 16) - The Buddha explains the five barriers and five shackles of the mind that prevents one from coming to growth, increase, and fulfillment in his teaching and training.
Steadying the mind against the poisons of greed, hate and delusion (AN 4.117) - The Buddha's teachings when practiced become a support for the mind, allowing it to remain steady in situations that once used to shake it up.
Developing the mind by classifying thoughts into two categories | Right Intention (MN 19) - The Buddha describes how he cultivated his mind with a careful categorization of thoughts to cultivate and thoughts to eliminate, understanding their relationship and how it inclines the mind's underlying tendencies.
