Better to Conquer Oneself

Greater in battle
than the man who would conquer
a thousand-thousand men,
is he who would conquer
just one–
himself.

Better to conquer yourself
than others.

When you’ve trained yourself,
living in constant self-control,
neither a deva nor gandhabba,
nor a Mara banded with Brahmas,
could turn that triumph
back into defeat.

This reflection from the Pāli Canon is from Thousands, Dhammapada Chapter 8, Lines 103-105, (Dhp VIII:103-105), translated into English by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.