The Rod chapter is the Dhammapada's teaching on violence, and it opens with the Buddhist form of the golden rule: all beings tremble at the rod, all fear death — comparing others with oneself, one should neither kill nor cause to kill (10.1); all tremble at punishment, to all life is dear (10.2). The argument extends to speech: speak harshly to no one, for angry talk is painful and blows may return upon you (10.5); the one grown silent as a broken gong is already near Nibbana (10.6).
The chapter details what striking the harmless brings upon the striker — pain, loss, injury, ruin (10.9–10.12) — then pivots to a deeper point about purification: not nakedness, matted hair, mud, fasting, or sleeping on the ground can purify a person who has not passed beyond doubt (10.13); but the one who is calm, tamed, and settled, who has laid down the rod toward all beings, is the true brahmin, ascetic, monk — whatever they wear (10.14). It closes by turning the rod inward, as discipline rather than harm: like a fine horse touched by the whip, be ardent — and, in the refrain shared with the Wise chapter, as fletchers shape arrows, the well-vowed master themselves (10.16–10.17).
Key verses
All beings tremble at the rod; all fear death. Comparing others to oneself, one should neither kill nor cause to kill.
Speak harshly to no one; those spoken to may answer back. Painful is angry talk; blows in return may touch you.
Not going naked, nor matted hair, nor smearing mud, nor fasting, nor sleeping on the ground, nor dust-and-dirt, nor squatting exertion — these do not purify a mortal who has not crossed doubt.
Read Chapter 10 in full
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