All that is offered or sacrificed in the world for a year by one seeking merit, does not reach even a quarter of the merit of reverencing those who walk uprightly.

Yaṃ kiñci yiṭṭhaṃ va hutaṃ va loke — all that is offered or sacrificed in the world: the generalization is total. Not a specific type of sacrifice but all sacrifice in the world for an entire year.

Puññapekkho — one seeking merit: puñña-pekkha is the merit seeker. The motivation may be genuine but remains in the realm of personal benefit or the next birth.

Na catubhāgameti — does not reach even a quarter: what does not reach a quarter of something is minimal. The merit accumulated by all the sacrifices in the world for a year does not equal a quarter of the merit of reverencing the upright.

Abhivādanā ujjugatesu — reverencing those who walk uprightly: not ritualized reverence but genuine recognition of the being who practices the Dhamma. Devotion multiplies not by its extension or cost but by the realization of the object of devotion.