SuttaCentral
With the US election coming tomorrow, the situation in Thailand, the Brexit changes going into effect soon, anti-lockdown protests throughout the West, etc. I can’t help wonder what are everyone’s favorite suttas addressing times of political unrest and uncertainty. I would love to hear any suggestions.
A Request: Let’s keep this thread free of thoughts on the situations themselves and just look at what the Buddha said about political unrest and change. Thank you. 
This is not limited to politics, but very applicable and relevant:
Lokavipatti Sutta: The Failings of the World
An excerpt from Snp 4.15, translated by Andy Olendzki:
Fear is born from arming oneself.
Just see how many people fight!
I’ll tell you about the dreadful fear
that caused me to shake all over:Seeing creatures flopping around,
Like fish in water too shallow,
So hostile to one another!
— Seeing this, I became afraid.This world completely lacks essence;
It trembles in all directions.
I longed to find myself a place
Unscathed — but I could not see it.Seeing people locked in conflict,
I became completely distraught.
But then I discerned here a thorn
— Hard to see — lodged deep in the heart.It’s only when pierced by this thorn
That one runs in all directions.
So if that thorn is taken out —
one does not run, and settles down.…
Who here has crossed over desires,
the world’s bond, so hard to get past,
he does not grieve, she does not mourn.
His stream is cut, she’s all unbound.What went before — let go of that!
All that’s to come — have none of it!
Don’t hold on to what’s in between,
And you’ll wander fully at peace.For whom there is no “I-making”
All throughout the body and mind,
And who grieves not for what is not
Is undefeated in the world.For whom there is no “this is mine”
Nor anything like “that is theirs”
Not even finding “self-ness,” he
Does not grieve at “I have nothing.”
The intentions in MN 8 can be the basis of a nice contemplation. Below is a contemplation for developing equanimity, suggested by my teacher:
‘Others will be cruel, but here we will not be cruel.’
‘Others will kill living creatures, but here we will not kill living creatures.’
‘Others will steal, but here we will not steal.’
‘Others will lie, but here we will not lie.’
‘Others will speak divisively, but here we will not speak divisively.’
‘Others will speak harshly, but here we will not speak harshly.’
‘Others will be covetous, but here we will not be covetous.’
‘Others will have ill will, but here we will not have ill will.’
‘Others will have doubts, but here we will have gone beyond doubt.’
‘Others will be irritable, but here we will be without anger.’
‘Others will be hostile, but here we will be without hostility.’
‘Others will be offensive, but here we will be inoffensive.’
‘Others will be contemptuous, but here we will be without contempt.’
‘Others will be devious, but here we will not be devious.’
‘Others will be deceitful, but here we will not be deceitful.’
‘Others will be faithless, but here we will have faith.’
‘Others will be conscienceless, but here we will have a sense of conscience.’
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesāli at the Sārandada Shrine. Then a number of Licchavis approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and sat down to one side. The Blessed One said this to them: “I will teach you, Licchavis, seven principles of non-decline. Listen and attend closely. I will speak.”
“Yes, Bhante,” those Licchavis replied. The Blessed One said this: “And what, Licchavis, are the seven principles of non-decline?”
(1) "Licchavis, as long as the Vajjis assemble often and hold frequent assemblies, only growth is to be expected for them, not decline.
(2) "As long as the Vajjis assemble in harmony, adjourn in harmony, and conduct the affairs of the Vajjis in harmony, only growth is to be expected for them, not decline.
(3) "As long as the Vajjis do not decree anything that has not been decreed or abolish anything that has already been decreed but undertake and follow the ancient Vajji principles as they have been decreed, only growth is to be expected for them, not decline.
(4) "As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate the Vajji elders and think they should be heeded, only growth is to be expected for them, not decline.
(5) "As long as the Vajjis do not abduct women and girls from their families and force them to live with them, only growth is to be expected for them, not decline.
(6) "As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate their traditional shrines, both those within the city and those outside, and do not neglect the righteous oblations as given and done to them in the past, only growth is to be expected for them, not decline.
(7) "As long as the Vajjis provide righteous protection, shelter, and guard for arahants, so that those arahants who have not yet come may arrive, and those arahants who have already come may dwell at ease there, only growth is to be expected for them, not decline.
“Licchavis, as long as these seven principles of non-decline continue among the Vajjis, and the Vajjis are seen established in them, only growth is to be expected of them, not decline.”
AN 7.21
From MN 128:
When many voices shout at once
None considers himself a fool;
Though the Sangha is being split
None thinks himself to be at fault.They have forgotten thoughtful speech,
They talk obsessed by words alone.
Uncurbed their mouths, they bawl at will;
None knows what leads him so to act.‘He abused me, he struck me,
He defeated me, he robbed me’―
In those who harbour thoughts like these
Hatred will never be allayed.For in this world hatred is never
Allayed by further acts of hate.
It is allayed by non-hatred:
That is the fixed and ageless law.Those others do not recognise
That here we should restrain ourselves.
But those wise ones who realise this
At once end all their enmity.Breakers of bones and murderers,
Those who steal cattle, horses, wealth,
Those who pillage the entire realm―
When even these can act together
Why can you not do so too?If one can find a worthy friend,
A virtuous, steadfast companion,
Then overcome all threats of danger
And walk with him content and mindful.But if one finds no worthy friend,
No virtuous, steadfast companion,
Then as a king leaves his conquered realm,
Walk like a tusker in the woods alone.Better it is to walk alone,
There is no companionship with fools.
Walk alone and do no evil,
At ease like a tusker in the woods.