Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya »
Dhammapada
- Dhammapada 6
- The Wise Man
- translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita
76. Should one find a man who points out faults and who
reproves, let him 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.
77. Let him admonish, instruct and shield one from wrong; he,
indeed, is dear to the good and detestable to the evil.
78. Do not associate with evil companions; do not seek the
fellowship of the vile. Associate with the good friends; seek the fellowship of noble men.
79. He who drinks deep the Dhamma lives happily with a tranquil
mind. The wise man ever delights in the Dhamma made known by the Noble One (the Buddha).
80. Irrigators regulate the rivers; fletchers straighten the
arrow shaft; carpenters shape the wood; the wise control themselves.
81. Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the storm, even so
the wise are not affected by praise or blame.
82. On hearing the Teachings, the wise become perfectly
purified, like a lake deep, clear and still.
83. 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.
84. He is indeed virtuous, wise, and righteous who neither for
his own sake nor for the sake of another (does any wrong), who does not crave for sons,
wealth, or kingdom, and does not desire success by unjust means.
85. Few among men are those who cross to the farther shore. The
rest, the bulk of men, only run up and down the hither bank.
86. 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 man cultivate
the bright path. Having gone from home to homelessness, let him yearn for that delight in
detachment, so difficult to enjoy. Giving up sensual pleasures, with no attachment, let
the wise man cleanse himself of defilements of the mind.
89. 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. [10]