Drop by drop, the water jar fills.

What it means

The verse warns that small wrongs pile up like falling drops, and the next verse says the same of small good deeds. Nothing is too small to count. Choose which jar you are filling.

The source

"Drop by drop, the water jar fills." The Buddha said it in Dhammapada 121. Translated from the original Pali by Spartan Surfers.

"Udabindunipātena, udakumbhopi pūrati;"

Original Pali, Dhammapada 121. Text read at suttacentral.net.

Who said it

The Buddha (c. 5th century BC). Siddhattha Gotama, the teacher from northern India whose path of insight and practice became Buddhism. His sayings survive in the Pali Canon, including the Dhammapada.

Questions

What does "Drop by drop, the water jar fills." mean?

The verse warns that small wrongs pile up like falling drops, and the next verse says the same of small good deeds. Nothing is too small to count. Choose which jar you are filling.

Who said "Drop by drop, the water jar fills."?

The Buddha (c. 5th century BC). Source: Dhammapada 121.

What is the original Pali?

Udabindunipātena, udakumbhopi pūrati;. Translated from the original Pali by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Drop by drop, the water jar fills." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Drop by drop, the water jar fills." (The Buddha, Dhammapada 121, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/drop-by-drop-the-water-jar-fills