Book V. The Simpleton, Bāla Vagga

60

Long is the night to him that watcheth; long is a league to him that is weary;
Long is the revolution of being for simpletons that know not the Good Law.

61

Should a man fail to find a companion who is his better or his equal.
He should resolutely pursue a solitary course. One cannot be friends with a simpleton.

62

“I have sons, I have wealth.” With these thoughts the simpleton vexes himself.
But he is not his own. How then can sons be his? How can wealth be his?

63

The fool who thinks he is a fool is for that very reason a wise man;
But the fool who thinks he is a wise man is rightly called a fool.

64

Even if a fool, all his life long, associate with a wise man,
He will no more perceive the Law than a spoon the taste of broth.

65

If an intelligent man, but for a moment, be associated with a wise man,
He quickly perceives the Law, just as the tongue perceives the taste of broth.

66

Fools of little wit walk with their very selves for enemies,
Committing evil deeds the fruit whereof is bitter.

67

That deed is not well done, of which a man must afterwards repent,
The fruit whereof he receives weeping, with tearful face.

68

That deed is well done the doing of which is not followed by remorse,
The fruit whereof one receives with joy and pleasure.

69

As sweet as honey, thinks a fool an evil deed, so long as it bears no fruit;
But when it bears fruit, then the fool comes to grief.

70

Though month after month with the tip of a blade of kusa grass a simpleton should eat his food,
Yet is he not worth a sixteenth part of them that have well weighed the Law.

71

For an evil deed, when done, does not bear evil fruit at once, just as new-milked milk does not turn at once.
It follows the doer, the simpleton, to consume him, like fire covered with ashes.

72

When to his disadvantage a simpleton acquires knowledge,
It injures the fortune of the simpleton and crushes his head.

73, 74

The simpleton will seek for false reputation, for precedence among the monks,
For authority in the monasteries, for honors among other folk.

“Let layman and monk both think that it was I, and I alone, who did this;
Let them be subject to my will, both in everything that ought to be done, and in everything that ought not to be done!”
Thus resolves the simpleton; so do his desire and pride increase.

75

For one road leads to gain, the other to Nibbāna.
Understanding this, the monk, the disciple of the Buddha,
Should not delight in worldly gain, but should devote himself to solitude.