Brāhmaṇavagga · The Brahmin · Gāthā 410

Yo ve silena sampanno, adantena damena ca; Uddharattānaṃ sīlena, sīlaṃ tassa na hīyati.

Yo ve silena sampanno, adantena damena ca; uddharattānaṃ sīlena, sīlaṃ tassa na hīyati.

Who is complete in virtue, through self-discipline; having elevated the self with virtue, one’s virtue does not decay.

The insistent repetition on sīla underscores something the Buddha saw constantly: many seek elevated states without having cleaned the foundations.

The brāhmaṇa does not jump to wisdom, but builds upon virtue.