Farmers guide the water, arrow-makers straighten the arrow, carpenters shape the wood; the wise discipline themselves.

Udakañhi nayanti nettikā — farmers guide the water: without irrigation channels, water is wasted or destroys. The skilled craftsman does not fight against the water but guides it where it can nourish.

Usukārā namayanti tejanaṃ — arrow-makers straighten the arrow: the usukāra is the archetype of careful transformation work. The crooked arrow cannot fly true; the crooked mind cannot penetrate reality.

Dāruṃ namayanti tacchakā — carpenters shape the wood: raw wood must be worked to become something useful and beautiful. No tree produces beams ready for building.

Attānaṃ damayanti paṇḍitā — the wise discipline themselves: the paṇḍita applies to themselves the same artisanal skill. The material they work is their own mind and character. This is practice in its essence: transforming the raw material of character into something that can fly true.