The Dhammapada
Chapter Six -- The Wise Person
- If one finds a person who points out faults
and who reproves, one should follow such a wise
and sagacious person as one would a guide to
hidden treasure. It is always better, and never
worse, to cultivate such an association.
- Let the person admonish, instruct and shield
one from wrong; this person , indeed is dear to
the good and detestable to the evil.
- Do not associate with evil companions;
do not seek the fellowship of the vile. Associate
with good friends; seek the fellowship of noble people.
- One who drinks deep the Dhamma lives
happily with a tranquil mind. The wise person ever
delights in the Dhamma made known by the Noble One
(the Buddha).
- Irrigators regulate the waters; fletchers
straighten the arrow shaft; carpenters shape the
wood; the wise control themselves.
- Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the
storm, even so the wise are not affected by
praise or blame.
- On hearing the Teachings, the wise
become perfectly purified like a lake deep,
clear and still.
- The good renounce (attachment for) everything;
the virtuous do not prattle with a yearning
for pleasures. The wise show no elation or depression
when touched by happiness or sorrow.
- They are truly virtuous, wise and righteous,
who neither for their own sake nor for the sake of
another (do any wrong), who do not crave for
sons, wealth or kingdom, and do not desire
success by unjust means.
- Few among people are those who cross to
the farther shore. The rest, the bulk of people,
only run up and down the hither bank.
- But those who act according to the perfectly
taught Dhamma will cross the realm of
Death, so difficult to cross.
87-88. Abandoning the dark way, let the
wise person cultivate the bright path. Having
gone from home to homelessness, let one yearn
for that delight in detachment, so difficult to enjoy.
Giving up sensual pleasures, with no attachment,
the wise person should cleanse oneself of
defilements of the mind.
- Those whose minds have
reached full
excellence in the factors of enlightenment, who,
having renounced acquisitiveness, rejoice in not
clinging to things--rid of cankers, glowing with
wisdom, they have attained Nibbana in
this very life.
and who reproves, one should follow such a wise
and sagacious person as one would a guide to
hidden treasure. It is always better, and never
worse, to cultivate such an association.
one from wrong; this person , indeed is dear to
the good and detestable to the evil.
do not seek the fellowship of the vile. Associate
with good friends; seek the fellowship of noble people.
happily with a tranquil mind. The wise person ever
delights in the Dhamma made known by the Noble One
(the Buddha).
straighten the arrow shaft; carpenters shape the
wood; the wise control themselves.
storm, even so the wise are not affected by
praise or blame.
become perfectly purified like a lake deep,
clear and still.
the virtuous do not prattle with a yearning
for pleasures. The wise show no elation or depression
when touched by happiness or sorrow.
who neither for their own sake nor for the sake of
another (do any wrong), who do not crave for
sons, wealth or kingdom, and do not desire
success by unjust means.
the farther shore. The rest, the bulk of people,
only run up and down the hither bank.
taught Dhamma will cross the realm of
Death, so difficult to cross.
excellence in the factors of enlightenment, who,
having renounced acquisitiveness, rejoice in not
clinging to things--rid of cankers, glowing with
wisdom, they have attained Nibbana in
this very life.
