[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [經律異相](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2121) › 17.21 # 經律異相 17.21 經律異相 17.21 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [17.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2121.17.21) 雖誦千章　句義不正　不如一要 聞可滅意　雖誦千言　不義何益 不如一義　聞行可度　雖多誦經 不解何益　解一法句　行可得道 > "Though one recites a thousand chapters, / If the meaning of the phrases is not correct, / It is not as good as a single essential \[verse\] / Hearing which one can extinguish the \[defiled\] mind. / Though one recites a thousand words, / If they are not righteous, what is the benefit? / It is not as good as a single righteous teaching / Hearing and practicing which brings deliverance. / Though one recites many scriptures, / If one does not understand, what is the benefit? / Understanding a single phrase of Dharma, / By practicing it one can attain the Way." > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 17.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2121.17.20) - [Next: 17.22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2121.17.22) - [Up: 17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2121.17) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2121~en-mt.17.21) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [法句經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-weiqinan.1.61) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2121.17.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2121.17.21) · Pramāṇa