In short: the Buddha said: "Of paths, the eightfold is the best; of truths, the four statements" (Dhammapada 273), and "You yourselves must do the work, the Realized Ones just show the way" (Dhammapada 276). Here are four genuine quotes, each with its source.
1. Dhammapada 273
"Of paths, the eightfold is the best; of truths, the four statements; dispassion is the best of things, and the Clear-eyed One is the best of humans."
Dhammapada 273 · More
2. Dhammapada 275
"When you all are practicing this, you'll make an end of suffering. I have explained the path to you for extracting the thorn with wisdom."
Dhammapada 275
3. Dhammapada 276
"You yourselves must do the work, the Realized Ones just show the way. Meditators practicing absorption are released from Māra's bonds."
Dhammapada 276
4. SN 56.11
"Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One understood the middle way of practice, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and extinguishment."
SN 56.11 · More
All quotes are from the early Buddhist texts in Bhikkhu Sujato's translation on SuttaCentral, copied exactly. Last checked: 18 October 2026.
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What did the Buddha say about the path?
'Of paths, the eightfold is the best; of truths, the four statements' (Dhammapada 273).