The Wise Man
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 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 waters;
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
accroding
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. *
*Cankers (asara)
The four basic mental pollutants of sensual desire, desire for continued existence, ignorance and false views. Their destruction is necessary for attainment of Nibbana.
