lothea thole
The Practice of Love
This translation of the Karaniya Metta Sutta into Phi follows V. Fausböll's 1881 English and is the language's first complete text. It follows the source claim by claim. Each parenthetical English line was written from the settled Phi after the source and earlier English had been put away, so it tells the reader what the Phi actually says. The notes and gap log leave the compromises where readers can see them.
The source is the Pali Karaniya Metta Sutta (Sn 1.8). The English ground truth is V. Fausböll's translation of the Sutta-Nipâta (Sacred Books of the East, volume X, part II, second edition; first published 1881), stored verbatim in texts/sources/sutta_nipata_fausboll.txt. Its scan spellings, broken words, and punctuation remain in the citations. All ten verses are represented.
Each block has four lines: the Phi sentence, its exact word-by-word gloss, a natural English reading derived from the Phi alone, and the exact part of Fausböll behind it. The Phi was frozen before the source-blind English reading began.
The text
01The one seeking good
[whu [welao thena sheraki] thesani phelu nela noalu ki kelu] miona ha thena na phoa. su shia po phoa. su shia serathi nai.
Word-by-word gloss: [REL [good thing search] skill hold COORD tranquil PFV become] person PROX thing NEC do. OPT 3SG POT do. OPT 3SG principled be.
Literal English: (The person who has skill in seeking what is good and has become tranquil must do this. May they be able to act. May they be principled.)
fausboll: 1. Whatever is to be done by one who is skilful in seeking (what is) good, having attained that tran- quil state (of Nibbana) :—Let him be able and upright
su shia miso sharino thesa theonu. su shia moli haolu. su shia moli nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG REFL conscience careful attend. OPT 3SG gentle speak. OPT 3SG gentle be.
Literal English: (May they attend carefully to their own conscience. May they speak gently. May they be gentle.)
fausboll: and conscientious and of soft speech, gentle,
su shia thoru ma nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG proud NEG be.
Literal English: (May they not be proud.)
fausboll: not proud,
02Few burdens
su shia nuloe nai. su shia roe phina riola se panoru.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG content be. OPT 3SG INS FEW labor PASS support.
Literal English: (May they be content. May a little work sustain them.)
fausboll: 2. And contented and easily supported
su shia phina naseru phelu. su shia whuo tupeka nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG FEW obligation hold. OPT 3SG WITHOUT burden be.
Literal English: (May they have few obligations. May they be free of burden.)
fausboll: and having few cares, unburdened
su shia lo morae shena nai. su shia phue nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG PL sense calm be. OPT 3SG wise be.
Literal English: (May their senses be calm. May they be wise.)
fausboll: and with his senses calmed and wise,
su shia leo lo phirae miona miso ma nila.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG ABOVE PL different person REFL NEG see.
Literal English: (May they not see themselves as above other people.)
fausboll: not arrogant,
su whau shia thoa lo lumani ro thalo shia lue wurashi ma phoa.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT SIMUL 3SG AMONG PL family HAB walk 3SG ABL crave NEG do.
Literal English: (During their regular walks among families, may they not act from craving.)
fausboll: without (showing) greediness (when going his round) in families.
03The wish for every creature
su shia [whu lo phirae phue miona wei shia tha theali ma nai tho po shane] phoa ma phoa.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG [REL PL different wise person DAT 3SG DECL.COMP fitting NEG be DECL.COMP.CLOSE POT tell] do NEG do.
Literal English: (May they not do a deed that other wise people can tell them is not fitting.)
fausboll: 3. And let him not do anything mean for which others who are wise might reprove (him);
su theula miona nela theula limoe siora nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT UNIV person COORD UNIV creature joy be.
Literal English: (May all people and all creatures be joyful.)
fausboll: may all beings be happy
su theula miona nela theula limoe shurano nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT UNIV person COORD UNIV creature safe be.
Literal English: (May all people and all creatures be safe.)
fausboll: and secure,
su theula miona nela theula limoe siora korua phelu.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT UNIV person COORD UNIV creature joy heart hold.
Literal English: (May all people and all creatures have joyful hearts.)
fausboll: may they be happy- minded.
04Every size and strength
theula lima miona nela theula lima limoe.
Word-by-word gloss: UNIV alive person COORD UNIV alive creature.
Literal English: (All living people and all living creatures.)
fausboll: 4. Whatever living beings there are,
[whu huwa nai] sola [whu kema nai].
Word-by-word gloss: [REL weak be] DISJ [REL strong be].
Literal English: (Those who are weak or those who are strong.)
fausboll: either feeble or strong,
[whu laeno nai] sola [whu whalo nai].
Word-by-word gloss: [REL long be] DISJ [REL large be].
Literal English: (Those who are long or those who are large.)
fausboll: all either long or great,
[whu kesho ponalu phelu] sola [whu teku nai].
Word-by-word gloss: [REL middle size hold] DISJ [REL short be].
Literal English: (Those of medium size or those who are short.)
fausboll: middle-sized, short,
[whu thiku nai] sola [whu whalo nai].
Word-by-word gloss: [REL small be] DISJ [REL large be].
Literal English: (Those who are small or those who are large.)
fausboll: small or large,
05Seen and unseen
[whu se nila] sola [whu se ma nila].
Word-by-word gloss: [REL PASS see] DISJ [REL PASS NEG see].
Literal English: (Those who are seen or those who are not seen.)
fausboll: 5. Either seen or which are not seen,
[whu wuero menui] sola [whu noshi menui].
Word-by-word gloss: [REL far dwell] DISJ [REL near dwell].
Literal English: (Those who dwell far away or those who dwell nearby.)
fausboll: and which live far (or) near,
[whu ki thowia] sola [whu wea thowia shua].
Word-by-word gloss: [REL PFV born] DISJ [REL TOWARD born come].
Literal English: (Those who have been born or those who are coming toward birth.)
fausboll: either born or seeking birth,
su theula miona nela theula limoe siora korua phelu.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT UNIV person COORD UNIV creature joy heart hold.
Literal English: (May all people and all creatures have joyful hearts.)
fausboll: may al] creatures be happy-minded.
06No deception or contempt
su mawha miona roe peshu phirae miona phelira ka nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT NONE person INS lie different person mistaken CAUS be.
Literal English: (May no person cause another person to be mistaken through lying.)
fausboll: 6. Let no one deceive another,
su mawha miona mua theula lokue phirae miona thiku nila.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT NONE person LOC UNIV place different person small see.
Literal English: (May no person anywhere regard another person with contempt.)
fausboll: let him not despise (another) in any place,
su mawha miona lue korua thero sola lue laeno thimu korua thero wei phirae miona peloma pula.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT NONE person ABL heart fire DISJ ABL long time heart fire DAT different person harmful wish.
Literal English: (May no person wish harm on another person, whether from anger or from long-held anger.)
fausboll: let him not out of anger or resentment wish harm to another.
07The unbounded friendly mind
thowia phao miso lioru mua pukea nai. shia sui ha pukea miso ta lopia shorupo.
Word-by-word gloss: born parent REFL life LOC danger be. 3SG DUR PROX danger REFL one child protect.
Literal English: (A birth parent's own life is in danger. During this danger, they protect their one child.)
fausboll: 7, As a mother at the risk of her life watches over her own child, her only child,
su theula miona phea ha shorupo wea theula miona nela wea theula limoe [mawha norui lothea korua] sorila.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT UNIV person AS PROX protect TOWARD UNIV person COORD TOWARD UNIV creature [NONE boundary love heart] cultivate.
Literal English: (Like this act of protection, may every person cultivate a loving heart without boundary toward every person and every creature.)
fausboll: so also let every one cultivate a boundless (friendly) mind towards all beings.
08Above, below, and across
su shia wea theula lokue lothea sorila.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG TOWARD UNIV place love cultivate.
Literal English: (May they cultivate love toward every place.)
fausboll: 8. And let him cultivate goodwill towards all the world,
su shia [mawha norui lothea korua] sorila.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG [NONE boundary love heart] cultivate.
Literal English: (May they cultivate a loving heart without boundary.)
fausboll: a boundless (friendly) mind,
su shia leo muila nela phou muila nela thue muila ha korua sorila.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG ABOVE earth COORD BELOW earth COORD THROUGH earth PROX heart cultivate.
Literal English: (May they cultivate this heart above the earth, below the earth, and through the earth.)
fausboll: above and below and across,
su ha korua noraku ma nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT PROX heart blocked NEG be.
Literal English: (May this heart not be blocked.)
fausboll: unobstructed,
su ha korua whuo laeno thimu korua thero nai. su ha korua whuo nua lo phirae miona peloma lorea nai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT PROX heart WITHOUT long time heart fire be. OPT PROX heart WITHOUT COM PL different person harmful connect be.
Literal English: (May this heart be free of long-held anger. May this heart be free of harmful connections with other people.)
fausboll: without hatred, without enmity.
09Devotion while awake
su shia sui [whano sola thalo sola meilo sola ruemi] sui theula waeli thimu wei ha korua miso menai.
Word-by-word gloss: OPT 3SG DUR [stand DISJ walk DISJ sit DISJ lie down] DUR UNIV conscious time DAT PROX heart REFL dedicate.
Literal English: (While standing, walking, sitting, or lying down, throughout all conscious time, may they dedicate themselves to this heart.)
fausboll: 9. Standing, walking or sitting or lying, as long as he be awake, let him devote himself to this mind ;
ha liona ruela mua ha muila mo ko welao ti nai.
Word-by-word gloss: PROX live path LOC PROX earth CMPR FOC good REP be.
Literal English: (This way of living is said to be the best on this earth.)
fausboll: this (way of) living they say is the best in this world.
10Insight and the end of return
[whu lo remo kire ma phelu] miona taleri nai.
Word-by-word gloss: [REL PL think shape NEG hold] person virtuous be.
Literal English: (A person who does not hold fixed views is virtuous.)
fausboll: 10. He who, not having embraced (philosophical) views, is virtuous,
shia sholu sorai phelu.
Word-by-word gloss: 3SG complete insight hold.
Literal English: (They have complete insight.)
fausboll: endowed with (perfect) vision,
pheo shia [lo morae nirelo wurashi] shena ka nai shia mawha thimu muo thowia phao mokura so turema.
Word-by-word gloss: POST 3SG [PL sense pleasant crave] calm CAUS be 3SG NONE time INTO born parent belly FUT return.
Literal English: (After they calm the craving for sensory pleasures, they will never return into a birth parent's belly.)
fausboll: after subduing greediness for sensual pleasures, will never again go to a mother’s womb.
The complete text
lothea thole
[whu [welao thena sheraki] thesani phelu nela noalu ki kelu] miona ha thena na phoa.
su shia po phoa. su shia serathi nai.
su shia miso sharino thesa theonu.
su shia moli haolu. su shia moli nai. su shia thoru ma nai.
su shia nuloe nai. su shia roe phina riola se panoru.
su shia phina naseru phelu. su shia whuo tupeka nai.
su shia lo morae shena nai. su shia phue nai.
su shia leo lo phirae miona miso ma nila.
su whau shia thoa lo lumani ro thalo shia lue wurashi ma phoa.
su shia [whu lo phirae phue miona wei shia tha theali ma nai tho po shane] phoa ma phoa.
su theula miona nela theula limoe siora nai.
su theula miona nela theula limoe shurano nai.
su theula miona nela theula limoe siora korua phelu.
theula lima miona nela theula lima limoe.
[whu huwa nai] sola [whu kema nai].
[whu laeno nai] sola [whu whalo nai].
[whu kesho ponalu phelu] sola [whu teku nai].
[whu thiku nai] sola [whu whalo nai].
[whu se nila] sola [whu se ma nila].
[whu wuero menui] sola [whu noshi menui].
[whu ki thowia] sola [whu wea thowia shua].
su theula miona nela theula limoe siora korua phelu.
su mawha miona roe peshu phirae miona phelira ka nai.
su mawha miona mua theula lokue phirae miona thiku nila.
su mawha miona lue korua thero sola lue laeno thimu korua thero wei phirae miona peloma pula.
thowia phao miso lioru mua pukea nai. shia sui ha pukea miso ta lopia shorupo.
su theula miona phea ha shorupo wea theula miona nela wea theula limoe [mawha norui lothea korua] sorila.
su shia wea theula lokue lothea sorila.
su shia [mawha norui lothea korua] sorila.
su shia leo muila nela phou muila nela thue muila ha korua sorila.
su ha korua noraku ma nai.
su ha korua whuo laeno thimu korua thero nai. su ha korua whuo nua lo phirae miona peloma lorea nai.
su shia sui [whano sola thalo sola meilo sola ruemi] sui theula waeli thimu wei ha korua miso menai.
ha liona ruela mua ha muila mo ko welao ti nai.
[whu lo remo kire ma phelu] miona taleri nai.
shia sholu sorai phelu.
pheo shia [lo morae nirelo wurashi] shena ka nai shia mawha thimu muo thowia phao mokura so turema.
Translation gap log
The gap log records each place where Phi composes or narrows Fausböll's wording.
| Source detail | Phi | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| attaining Nibbana's tranquil state | noalu ki kelu | ki describes attainment as a completed change into tranquility; Nibbana remains in the adjacent citation. |
| upright | serathi | Ethical integrity carries the source's wider quality; the governing commitments remain contextual rather than universal. |
| conscientious | miso sharino thesa theonu | Phi describes careful attention to one's own conscience instead of adding a second adjective for the same relation. |
| easily supported | roe phina riola se panoru | The support requires little labor. |
| few cares | phina naseru phelu | The cares narrow to obligations; whuo tupeka states "unburdened" directly. |
| not arrogant | leo lo phirae miona miso ma nila | The source's negative quality becomes its relation: the person does not see themself above other people. |
| greediness on the family round | whau ... ro thalo ... lue wurashi ma phoa | The habitual walk remains simultaneous with an instruction not to act from craving. |
| mean; reprove | an unfitting deed that other wise people might shane to the practitioner | "Unfitting" is milder and more contextual than "mean"; direct telling preserves the social address of reproof without adding a dedicated verb. |
| all beings | theula miona nela theula limoe | Phi names people and other creatures separately because unqualified limoe normally points beyond human persons. |
| great; large | whalo; whalo | Phi uses the same ordinary size word for both and does not add intensity merely to preserve two English labels. |
| seeking birth | wea thowia shua | The not-yet-born come toward birth without being assigned an intention. |
| deceive another | roe peshu phirae miona phelira ka nai | Deliberate deception causes the other person to be mistaken. |
| anger; resentment; hatred; enmity | korua thero; laeno thimu korua thero; nua lo phirae miona peloma lorea | Anger is heart-fire, resentment and hatred add duration, and enmity becomes a harmful connection with other people. |
| mother | thowia phao | Birth parent states the relevant relation without adding a gender class. |
| only child | miso ta lopia | Exact one carries the quantity; Phi does not place restrictive li on a number. |
| world | theula lokue | Every place renders the world's extent distributively. |
| across | thue muila | Phi says through the earth; it does not encode the source's transverse reading exactly. |
| unobstructed | noraku ma | Negated "blocked" states the absence of obstruction directly. |
| as long as awake | sui theula waeli thimu | The universal quantity makes the whole span of conscious time explicit. |
| philosophical views | remo kire | The registered thought-shapes are fixed views. |
| virtuous | taleri | A Philosophical Reasoning adjective and its quality noun carry the source's ethical disposition. |
| perfect vision | sholu sorai | Complete insight accounts for vision and its perfection. |
| greed for sensual pleasures | lo morae nirelo wurashi shena ka nai | Sensory pleasure stays distinct from craving; causative calm renders subduing without a domination metaphor. |
| a mother's womb; never again | thowia phao mokura; mawha thimu ... so turema | A birth parent's belly is the nearest available anatomy; the prediction of no return remains explicit. |
| optional vocabulary | thesani; naseru; sharino; serathi; taleri; wurashi | The translation uses the full lexicon. Skill and obligation come from their existing paths; conscience, integrity, virtue, and craving use the modules in which their distinctions belong. |