Dhammapada 6: The Wise
(Paõóitavaggo)
Translated by Ven Nàrada
P1 P2 E1 76. Should one see a wise man, who, like a revealer of treasure, points out faults and reproves; let one associate with such a wise person; it will be better, not worse, for him who associates with such a one.
P1 P2 E1 77. Let him advise, instruct, and dissuade one from evil; truly pleasing is he to the good, displeasing is he to the bad.
P1 P2 E1 78. Associate not with evil friends, associate not with mean men; associate with good friends, associate with noble men.
P1 P2 E1 79. He who imbibes the Dhamma abides in happiness with mind pacified; the wise man ever delights in the Dhamma revealed by the Ariyas. 1
P1 P2 E1 80. Irrigators lead the waters; fletchers bend the shafts; carpenters bend the wood; the wise control themselves.
P1 P2 E1 81. As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, even so the wise are not ruffled by praise or blame.
P1 P2 E1 82. Just as a deep lake is clear and still, even so, on hearing the teachings, the wise become exceedingly peaceful. 2
P1 P2 E1 83. The good give up (attachment for) everything; 3 the saintly prattle not with sensual craving: whether affected by happiness or by pain, the wise show neither elation nor depression.
P1 P2 E1 84. Neither for the sake of oneself nor for the sake of another (does a wise person do any wrong); he should not desire son, wealth or kingdom (by doing wrong): by unjust means he should not seek his own success. Then (only) such a one is indeed virtuous, wise and righteous.
P1 P2 E1 85. Few are there amongst men who go Beyond; the rest of mankind only run about on the bank. 4
P1 P2 E1 86. But those who act rightly according to the teaching, which is well expounded, those are they who will reach the Beyond - Nibbàna - (crossing) the realm of passions, 5 so hard to cross.
P1 P2 E1 87-88. Coming from home to the homeless, the wise man should abandon dark states 6 and cultivate the bright. He should seek great delight in detachment (Nibbàna), so hard to enjoy. Giving up sensual pleasures, with no impediments, 7 the wise man should cleanse himself of the impurities of the mind.
P1 P2 E1 89. Whose minds are well perfected in the Factors of Enlightenment, 8 who, without clinging, delight in "the giving up of grasping" 9 (i.e., Nibbàna), they, the corruption-free, shining ones, have attained Nibbàna even in this world.
End Notes
1 Ariya, which means `one who is far removed from passions', was originally a racial term. In Buddhism it indicates nobility of character, and is invariably applied to the Buddhas and the Arahants.
2 By attaining Sainthood.
3 The five Aggregates etc. See v. 203.
4 Namely: self-illusion (sakkàyaditthi). The majority are born again in this world.
5 Maccudheyya. i.e., worldly existence where passions dominate.
6 The dark states (kaõhaü dhammaü) are the ten kinds of evil deeds, and the bright states (sukkaü) are the ten kinds of good deeds. See notes on vv. 42, 43.
7 The five Hindrances (nãvaraõa) that obstruct the way to Deliverance. They are, sense-desires (kàmacchanda), ill-will (vyàpàda), sloth and torpor (thãnamiddha), restlessness and brooding (uddhacca-kukkucca) and indecision (vicikicchà). See A Manual of Buddhism by the translator.
8 See note on v 44.
9 There are four kinds of grasping - namely: sense-desires, false beliefs, adherence to (wrongful) rites and ceremonies, and self-illusion.