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 desires 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.

51. 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 arises,

At these times too I should remain like a piece of wood.

--Shantideva, A guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life,

trans. by Stephan Batchelor