Mbh 10.5.2

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'"Well-wishers seek to restrain a friend from sin. He who suffers himself to be dissuaded, succeeds in winning prosperity. He that does otherwise reaps misery. As a person of disordered brains is restrained by soothing words, even so should a friend be restrained by well-wishers. He that suffers himself to be so restrained never becomes a prey to misery. When a wise friend is about to perpetrate a wicked act, well-wishers possessed of wisdom repeatedly and according to the extent of their power endeavour to restrain him. Setting thy heart on what is truly beneficial, and restraining thyself by thy own self, do my bidding, O son, so that thou mayst not have to repent afterwards.

Mbh 10.5.2 · Mahabharata · Sauptika-parva

Themes in this passage

Self-Control Suffering Friendship Sin Wisdom Children Repentance Speech

Self-Control in other traditions

The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hellenism address it.

In the body restraint is good, good is restraint in speech, in thought restraint is good, good is restraint in all things. A Bhikshu, restrained in all things, is freed from all pain.

Dhp 25.361 · Dhammapada · The Bhikshu (Mendicant)

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

2 Peter 1:6 · Bible · 2 Peter

But as for him who feared to stand before his Lord and restrained his soul from lust,

Quran 79:40 · Quran

“Your noble vigour, O my friends, restrain; Nor weary out your generous strength in vain. Ye both have won: let others who excel, Now prove that prowess you have proved so well.”

Iliad 23.54 · Iliad · 23

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