In short: the Buddha was blunt about judging others: "It's easy to see the faults of others, hard to see one's own" (Dhammapada 252), so "you should only watch yourself, what you've done or left undone" (Dhammapada 50). Here are six genuine quotes, each with its source.
1. Dhammapada 50
"Don't find fault with others, with what they've done or left undone. You should only watch yourself, what you've done or left undone."
2. Dhammapada 252
"It's easy to see the faults of others, hard to see one's own. For the faults of others are tossed high like hay, while one's own are hidden, as a cheat hides a bad hand."
3. Dhammapada 253
"When you look for the flaws of others, always finding fault, your defilements only grow, you're far from ending defilements."
Fault-finding grows our own defilements.
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4. Dhammapada 159
"If one were to treat oneself as one instructs another, the well-tamed indeed would tame: for the self, it seems, is hard to tame."
Give yourself the advice you give others.
5. Dhammapada 76
"Regard one who sees your faults as a guide to a hidden treasure. Stay close to one so intelligent and astute who curbs you when you need it. Sticking close to such an impartial person, things get better, not worse."
When someone points out your faults, treat it as treasure.
6. Dhammapada 63
"The fool who thinks they're a fool is wise at least to that extent. But the true fool is said to be one who imagines that they are wise."
All quotes are from the early Buddhist texts in Bhikkhu Sujato's translation on SuttaCentral, copied exactly. Last checked: 17 October 2026.
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What did the Buddha say about judging others?
'Don't find fault with others, with what they've done or left undone. You should only watch yourself, what you've done or left undone' (Dhammapada 50).