The Path

Of all paths the Eightfold Path is the best; of all truths the Four Noble Truths are the best; of all things passionlessness is the best; of men the Seeing One (the Buddha) is the best.

This is the only path; there is none other for the purification of insight. Tread this path, and you will bewilder Mara*.

Walking upon this path you will make an end of suffering. Having discovered how to pull out the thorn of lust, I make known the path.

You yourself must strive; the Buddhas only point the way. Those meditative ones who tread the path are released from the bonds of Mara.

"All conditioned things are impermanent"—when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering, This is the path to purification.

"All conditioned things are unsatisfactory"—when one see this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering. This is the path to purification.

"All things are not-self"—when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering. This is the path to purification.

The idler who does not exert himself when he should, who though young and strong is full of sloth, with a mind full of vain thoughts—such an indolent man does not find the path to wisdom.

Let a man be watchful of speech, well controlled in mind, and not commit evil in bodily action. Let him purify these three courses of action, and win the path made known by the Great Sage.

Wisdom springs from meditation; without meditation wisdom wanes. Having known these two paths of progress and decline, let a man so conduct himself that his wisdom may increase.

~The Dhammapada, verses 273-282 

(Venerable Sri Acharya Buddharakkhita translator)

* Remember, Mara is not the Buddhist version of Satan. Mara is your own anger, greed, delusion, inertia, fear, and unwillingness to act.