25. Mitravarga
The Chapter about Friends
(25 Verses)
[538 ≈ Thag 1017]
[adm.]
Aśrāddhebhiḥ kadaryebhiḥ, piśunair vibhūtinandibhiḥ
With the faithless, the stingy, the slanderous and those who joy is in another’s downfall
sākhyaṁ kurvīta na prājñaḥ, saṁgatiḥ pāpair hi pāpikā. 25.1
the wise one should not make friendships, association with the bad is bad.
A-śrāddhebhiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the faithless; kad-aryebhiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the stingy; piśunaiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the slanderous; vibhūti-nandibhiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with those who find joy in downfall; sākhyam (n. acc. coll. sg.) friendships; kurvīta (3rd. sg. opt.) should make; na (indec.) not; prājñaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the wise one; saṁgatiḥ (f. nom. sg.) association; pāpaiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the bad; hi (indec.) for; pāpikā (f. nom. sg.) bad.
Pisuṇena ca kodhanena ca, maccharinā ca vibhūtanandinā
With the slanderous, the angry, the selfish and and those who joy is in another’s downfall
sakhitaṁ na kareyya paṇḍito, pāpo kāpurisena saṅgamo.
the wise one should not make friendships, association with a bad person is bad.
[539 ≈ Thag 1018]
[adm.]
Śrāddhebhiḥ peśalebhiś ca, śīlavadbhir bahuśrutaiḥ
With the faithful, the skilful, the virtuous and the learned
sākhyaṁ kurvīta saprajñaḥ, saṁgatir bhadrair hi bhadrikā. 25.2
the one with wisdom should form friendships, association with the good is good.
Śrāddhebhiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the faithful; peśalebhiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the skilful; ca (indec.) and; śīlavadbhiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the virtuous; bahu-śrutaiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the learned; sākhyam (n. acc. coll. sg.) friendships; kurvīta (3rd. sg. opt.) should make; sa-prajñaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one with wisdom; saṁgatiḥ (f. nom. sg.) association; bhadraiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the good ones; hi (indec.) for; bhadrikā (f. nom. sg.) is good.
Saddhena ca pesalena ca, paññavatā bahussutena ca,
With the faithful, the skilful, the wise and the learned,
sakhitaṁ kareyya paṇḍito, bhaddo sappurisena saṅgamo.
the wise one should form friendships, association with a good person is good.
[540 ≈ Dhp 78]
[adm.]
Na bhajet pāpakaṁ mitraṁ, na bhajet puruṣādhamam,
One should not associate with a bad friend, one should not associate with an ignoble person,
bhajeta mitraṁ kalyāṇaṁ bhajed uttamapūruṣam. 25.3
one should associate with a good friend, one should associate with a superior person.
Na (indec.) not; bhajet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; pāpakam (m. acc. sg.) bad; mitram (m. acc. sg.) a friend; na (indec.) not; bhajet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; puruṣa-adhamam (m. acc. sg.) an ignoble person; bhajeta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; mitram (m. acc. sg.) a friend; kalyāṇam (m. acc. sg.) good; bhajet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; uttama-pūruṣam (m. acc. sg.) superior person.
Na bhaje pāpake mitte, na bhaje purisādhame,
One should not associate with bad friends, one should not associate with ignoble people,
bhajetha mitte kalyāṇe, bhajetha purisuttame.
one should associate with good friends, one should associate with superior persons.
[541 cf. Ja 505:29]
[stm.]
Addhā narāḥ sevitavyāḥ, śrutāḍhyāḥ sthānacintakāḥ,
Certainly people rich in learning, whose minds can reason are to be associated with,
teṣāṁ hi śrutvā tu subhāṣitāni, vināpi tebhyo labhate viśeṣam. 25.4
having heard their well-spoken words, even without them, Meaning, even without them present; i.e. by simply following their teachings and example. one obtains distinction.
Addhā (indec.) certainly; narāḥ (m. nom. pl.) people; sevitavyāḥ (m. nom. pl. gerund.) are to be associated with; śruta-āḍhyāḥ (m. nom. pl.) rich in learning; sthāna-cintakāḥ (m. nom. pl.) those who have minds that can reason; teṣām (m. gen. pl. dem. pron.) their; hi (indec.) for; śrutvā (abs.) having heard; tu (indec.) but; su-bhāṣitāni (n. acc. pl. pp.) well-spoken words; vinā (indec.) without; api (indec.) even; tebhyaḥ (m. abl. pl.) from them; labhate (3rd. sg. pres.) obtains; viśeṣam (m. acc. sg.) distinction.
Addhā have sevitabbā sapaññā, bahussutā ye bahuṭhānacintino,
Certainly they are to be associated with, those having wisdom, those who are learned, those whose minds can reason abundantly,
yesāyaṁ sutvāna subhāsitāni, appossukkā vītasokā Sudhammā.
having heard their well-spoken words, Sudhammā is unbothered, without grief. Notice how the Sanskrit makes an abstract statement, while in the Pāḷi the same sentiment is expressed about a person, the queen.
[542 ≈ Ja 397:7]
[adm.]
Hīyati puruṣo nihīnasevī, na tu khalu hāyeta tulyasevī,
The person who follows an inferior declines, but who would follow an equal surely would not decline,
śreṣṭham upagato hy upaiti śraiṣṭhyaṁ, tasmāc chreṣṭham ihātmano bhajeta. 25.5
who approaches the best reaches the best, therefore, for one’s own sake, one should associate with the best here.
Hīyati (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) declines; puruṣaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a person; nihīna-sevī (m. nom. sg.) one who follows an inferior; na (indec.) not; tu (indec.) but; khalu (indec.) surely; hāyeta (3rd. sg. opt.) would decline; tulya-sevī (m. nom. sg.) one who follows an equal; śreṣṭham (m. acc. sg.) the best; upagataḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) one who approaches; hi (indec.) for; upaiti (3rd. sg. pres.) reaches; śraiṣṭhyam (n. acc. sg.) the best; tasmāt (indec.) therefore; śreṣṭham (m. acc. sg.) the best; iha (indec.) here; ātmanaḥ (m. gen. sg.) for oneself; bhajeta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with.
Nihīyati puriso nihīnasevī, na ca hāyetha kadāci tulyasevī,
The person who follows an inferior declines, but who follows an equal never declines,
seṭṭham-upagamaṁ udeti khippaṁ, tasmāttanā uttaritaraṁ bhajetha.
who approaches the best quickly reaches it, therefore they should associate with those better than themselves.
[543]
[stm.]
Śreyo hi labhate nityaṁ yaḥ śreṣṭhān upasevate,
Indeed one who associates with the best constantly obtains the best,
prajñayā cottamatamāṁ śīlenopaśamena ca. 25.6
having wisdom, the very highest virtue and calm.
Śreyaḥ (n. acc. sg.) the best; hi (indec.) indeed; labhate (3rd. sg. pres.) obtains; nityam (indec.) constantly; yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) one who; śreṣṭhān (m. acc. pl.) the best; upasevate (3rd. sg. pres.) associates with; prajñayā (f. inst. sg.) having wisdom; ca (indec.) and; uttama-tamām (f. acc. sg.) the very highest; śīlena (n. inst. sg.) having virtue; upaśamena (m. inst. sg.) having calm; ca (indec.) and.
[544 ≈ Iti 76:5]
[stm. + ana.]
Pūtimatsyāṁ kuśāgreṇa yo naro hy upanahyate
The person who wraps putrid fish with a blade of sacred grass
kuśāpi pūtikā vānti, hy evaṁ pāpopasevanāḥ. 25.7
(finds) even the sacred grass smells putrid, so those who associate with the bad smell putrid.
Pūti-matsyām (f. acc. sg.) a putrid fish; kuśa-agreṇa (n. inst. sg.) with the tip of a blade of kuśa grass; yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) one who; naraḥ (m. nom. sg.) a person; hi (indec.) indeed; upanahyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is wrapped up; kuśā (f. nom. pl.) the blades of kuśa grass; api (indec.) even; pūtikāḥ (f. nom. pl.) putrid; vānti (3rd. pl. pres.) smells; hy (separator); evam (indec.) so; pāpa-upasevanāḥ (m. nom. pl.) those associate with the bad.
Pūtimacchaṁ kusaggena yo naro upanayhati
The person who wraps putrid fish with a blade of sacred grass
kusāpi pūti vāyanti, evaṁ bālūpasevanā.
(finds) even the sacred grass smells putrid, so those who associate with fools smell putrid.
[545 ≈ Iti 76:6]
[stm. + ana.]
Tagaraṁ Palāśapatreṇa yo naro hy upanahyati
That person who wraps incense with a Pālaśa leaf
patrāṇy api sugandhīni, sad evaṁ saṁgamāt satām. 25.8
(finds) even the leaves are perfumed, so are they perfumed from association with the good.
Tagaram (n. acc. sg.) incense; Palāśa-patreṇa (n. inst. sg.) with a leaf of the Palāśa tree; yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) one who; naraḥ (m. nom. sg.) a person; hi (indec.) indeed; upanahyati (3rd. sg. pres.) wraps up; patrāṇi (n. nom. pl.) the leaves; api (indec.) even; su-gandhīni (n. nom. pl.) perfumed; sad (n. nom. sg. prp.) are; evam (indec.) thus; saṁgamāt (m. abl. sg.) from association; satām (m. gen. pl.) of the good.
Tagarañ-ca Palāsena, yo naro upanayhati
That person who wraps incense with a Palāsa (leaf)
pattāpi surabhi vāyanti, evaṁ dhīrūpasevanā.
(finds) even the leaf smells fragrant, so they smell fragrant who associate with the steadfast.
[546 ≈ Iti 76:2]
[stm.]
Akurvann api pāpāni kurvāṇam upasevate,
Even if one not doing what is wicked associates with one who is,
śaṅkito bhavati pāpasya, avarṇaś cāsya vardhate. 25.9
he is suspected of wickedness, and his bad reputation increases.
A-kurvan (m. nom. sg. prp.) not doing; api (indec.) even; pāpāni (n. acc. pl.) wicked deeds; kurvāṇam (m. acc. sg. prp.) one who is doing; upasevate (3rd. sg. pres.) associates with; śaṅkitaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) suspected; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) is; pāpasya (n. gen. sg.) of wickedness; a-varṇaḥ (m. nom. sg.) reputation; ca (indec.) and; asya (m. gen. sg. dem. pron.) his; vardhate (3rd. sg. pres.) increases.
Akaronto pi ce pāpaṁ karontam-upasevati,
Even if one not doing what is wicked associates with one who is,
saṅkiyo hoti pāpasmiṁ, avaṇṇo cassa rūhati.
he is suspected of wickedness, and his bad reputation increases.
[547 ≈ Iti 76:4]
[adm. + sim.]
Saṁsevamānaḥ pāpo hi saṁspṛṣṭaḥ saṁspṛśet parān,
Through associating with a wicked one, being touched by the touch of others,
śaro liptaḥ kalāpasthān aliptān upalimpati,
like a defiled arrow defiles those situated in a quiver that is undefiled,
upalepabhayād dhīro naiva pāpasakhā bhavet. 25.10
the steadfast one from fear of defilement should never have wicked friends.
Saṁsevamānaḥ (m. nom. sg. prp.) through associating with; pāpaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a wicked one; hi (indec.) for; saṁspṛṣṭaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) being touched; saṁspṛśet (3rd. sg. opt.) might touch; parān (m. acc. pl.) others; śaraḥ (m. nom. sg.) an arrow; liptaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) defiled; kalāpa-sthān (m. acc. pl.) those situated in a quiver; a-liptān (m. acc. pl.) undefiled; upalimpati (3rd. sg. pres.) defiles; upalepa-bhayāt (m. abl. sg.) from fear of defilement; dhīraḥ (m. nom. sg.) the steadfast one; na (indec.) not; eva (indec.) indeed; pāpa-sakhā (m. acc. pl.) wicked friends; bhavet (3rd. sg. opt.) should have.
Sevamāno sevamānaṁ, samphuṭṭho samphusaṁ paraṁ,
Through associating with (bad) associates, being touched by another’s touch,
saro diddho kalāpaṁ va alittam-upalimpati,
like a poisoned arrow defiles a quiver that is undefiled,
upalepabhayā dhīro neva pāpasakhā siyā.
the steadfast one from fear of defilement should never have wicked friends.
[548 ≈ Iti 76:3]
[stm.]
Yādṛśaṁ kurute mitraṁ, yādṛśaṁ copasevate,
Whatever sort of friend one makes, whatever sort one associates with,
na cirāt tādṛśo bhavati, saṁsevā hy asya tādṛśī. 25.11
soon one becomes such a character, through association with such a one.
Yādṛśam (m. acc. sg.) whatever; kurute (3rd. sg. pres.) makes; mitram (m. acc. sg.) a friend; yādṛśam (m. acc. sg.) whatever; ca (indec.) and; upasevate (3rd. sg. pres.) he associates with; na (indec.) not; cirāt (indec.) after a long time; tādṛśaḥ (m. nom. sg.) such a character; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) one becomes; saṁsevā (f. nom. sg.) association; hi (indec.) for; asya (m. gen. sg. dem. pron.) his; tādṛśī (f. nom. sg.) such a one.
Yādisaṁ kurute mittaṁ, yādisaṁ cūpasevati,
Whatever sort of friend one makes, whatever sort of person one associates with,
sa ve tādisako hoti, sahavāso hi tādiso.
soon one becomes such a character, through living with such a one.
[549 ≈ Iti 76:7a-d]
[adm.]
Tasmāt phalapuṭasyaiva dṛṣṭvā saṁpākam ātmanaḥ,
Therefore, seeing there is the same result for himself as for a leaf-wrap, This logically follows on from verse 545 above, as in the Pāḷi order.
asanto nopaseveta, santaḥ seveta paṇḍitaḥ. 25.12
he should not associate with bad people, the wise one should associate with the good.
Tasmāt (indec.) therefore; phala-puṭasya (m. gen. sg.) for a leaf-wrap; eva (indec.) indeed; dṛṣṭvā (abs.) having seen; saṁpākam (m. acc. sg.) result; ātmanaḥ (m. gen. sg.) of oneself; a-santaḥ (m. acc. pl.) bad people; na (indec.) not; upaseveta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; santaḥ (m. acc. pl. pp.) the good; seveta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; paṇḍitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a wise one.
Tasmā pattapuṭasseva ñatvā sampākam-attano,
Therefore, seeing there is the same result for himself as for a leaf-wrap,
asante nupaseveyya, sante seveyya paṇḍito,
he should not associate with bad people, the wise one should associate with the good,
asanto nirayaṁ nenti, santo pāpenti suggatiṁ.
the bad lead you to purgatory, the good help you reach a good destination.
[550 ≈ Dhp 64]
[stm. + sim.]
Yāvajjīvaṁ pi ced bālaḥ paṇḍitāṁ paryupāsate,
Even if a fool attends on a wise man for his whole life long,
na sa Dharmaṁ vijānāti, darvī sūparasān iva. 25.13
he does not learn the Dharma, just as a spoon does not learn the tastes of curry.
Yāvat (indec.) as long as; jīvam (indec.) life; pi (indec.) even; ced (indec.) if; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; paṇḍitām (m. acc. sg.) a wise man; paryupāsate (3rd. sg. pres.) attends on; na (indec.) not; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) he; Dharmam (m. acc. sg.) the Dharma; vijānāti (3rd. sg. pres.) learns; darvī (f. nom. sg.) a spoon; sūpa-rasān (m. acc. pl.) the tastes of curry; iva (indec.) just as.
Yāvajīvam-pi ce bālo paṇḍitaṁ payirupāsati,
Even if a fool attends on a wise man for his whole life long,
na so Dhammaṁ vijānāti, dabbī sūparasaṁ yathā.
he does not learn the Dhamma, just as a spoon does not learn the taste of curry.
[551 ≈ Dhp 65]
[stm. + sim.]
Muhūrtam api saprajñaḥ paṇḍitāṁ paryupāsate,
If one having wisdom attends on a wise man even for a moment,
sa vai Dharmaṁ vijānāti, jihvā sūparasān iva. 25.14
he indeed learns the Dharma, just as the tongue learns the taste of curry.
Muhūrtam (indec.) for a moment; api (indec.) even; sa-prajñaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one with wisdom; paṇḍitām (m. acc. sg.) a wise man; paryupāsate (3rd. sg. pres.) attends on; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) he; vai (indec.) indeed; Dharmam (m. acc. sg.) the Dharma; vijānāti (3rd. sg. pres.) learns; jihvā (f. nom. sg.) the tongue; sūpa-rasān (m. acc. pl.) the tastes of the soup; iva (indec.) just as.
Muhuttam-api ce viññū paṇḍitaṁ payirupāsati,
If a discerning man attends on a wise man even for a moment,
khippaṁ Dhammaṁ vijānāti, jivhā sūparasaṁ yathā.
he quickly learns the Dhamma, just as the tongue learns the taste of curry.
[552 cf. Dhp 64 The next four verses are variations on the above two.]
[stm.]
Yāvajjīvaṁ pi ced bālaḥ paṇḍitāṁ paryupāsate,
Even if a fool attends on a wise man for his whole life long,
na sa Dharmaṁ vijānāti, prajñā hy asya na vidyate. 25.15
he does not learn the Dharma, for his wisdom is not found.
Yāvat (indec.) as long as; jīvam (indec.) life; pi (indec.) even; ced (indec.) if; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; paṇḍitām (m. acc. sg.) a wise man; paryupāsate (3rd. sg. pres.) attends on; na (indec.) not; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) he; Dharmam (m. acc. sg.) the Dharma; vijānāti (3rd. sg. pres.) learns; prajñā (f. nom. sg.) wisdom; hi (indec.) for; asya (m. gen. sg. dem. pron.) his; na (indec.) not; vidyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is found.
[553 cf. Dhp 65]
[stm.]
Muhūrtam api saprajñaḥ paṇḍitāṁ paryupāsate,
If a man having wisdom attends on the wise even for a moment,
sa vai Dharmaṁ vijānāti, prajñā tasya hi vidyate. 25.16
he indeed learns the Dharma, for his wisdom is found.
Muhūrtam (indec.) for a moment; api (indec.) even; sa-prajñaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one possessing wisdom; paṇḍitām (m. acc. sg.) a wise man; paryupāsate (3rd. sg. pres.) attends on; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) he; vai (indec.) indeed; Dharmam (m. acc. sg.) the Dharma; vijānāti (3rd. sg. pres.) learns; prajñā (f. nom. sg.) wisdom; tasya (m. gen. sg. dem. pron.) his; hi (indec.) for; vidyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is found.
[554 cf. Dhp 64]
[stm.]
Yāvajjīvaṁ pi ced bālaḥ paṇḍitāṁ paryupāsate,
Even if a fool attends on a wise man for his whole life long,
na sa Dharmaṁ vijānāti Samyaksaṁbuddhadeśitam. 25.17
he does not learns the Dharma taught by the Perfectly Awakened One.
Yāvat (indec.) as long as; jīvam (indec.) life; pi (indec.) even; ced (indec.) if; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; paṇḍitām (m. acc. sg.) a wise man; paryupāsate (3rd. sg. pres.) attends on; na (indec.) not; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) he; Dharmam (m. acc. sg.) the Dharma; vijānāti (3rd. sg. pres.) learns; Samyak-saṁbuddha-deśitam (m. acc. sg. pp.) taught by the Perfectly Awakened One.
[555 cf. Dhp 65]
[stm.]
Muhūrtam api saprajñaḥ paṇḍitāṁ paryupāsate,
If a man having wisdom attends on the wise even for a moment,
sa vai Dharmaṁ vijānāti Samyaksaṁbuddhadeśitam. 25.18
he indeed learns the Dharma taught by the Perfectly Awakened Buddha.
Muhūrtam (indec.) for a moment; api (indec.) even; sa-prajñaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one possessing wisdom; paṇḍitām (m. acc. sg.) a wise man; paryupāsate (3rd. sg. pres.) attends on; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) he; vai (indec.) indeed; Dharmam (m. acc. sg.) the Dharma; vijānāti (3rd. sg. pres.) learns; Samyak-saṁbuddha-deśitam (m. acc. sg. pp.) taught by the Perfectly Awakened One.
[556]
[stm.]
Ekam arthapadaṁ proktaṁ paṇḍitasyārthakārakam,
A single verse having meaning spoken to the wise will benefit them,
bālasya tu na kṛtyāya syāt sarvaṁ Buddhabhāṣitam. 25.19
but for a fool, all of what the Buddha said would be of no use.
Ekam (n. nom. sg.) one; artha-padam (n. nom. sg.) a verse having meaning; proktam (n. nom. sg. pp.) spoken; paṇḍitasya (m. gen. sg.) for the wise one; artha-kārakam (n. nom. sg.) benefit-bringing; bālasya (m. gen. sg.) for a fool; tu (indec.) but; na (indec.) not; kṛtyāya (n. dat. sg.) of use; syāt (3rd. sg. opt.) would be; sarvam (n. nom. sg.) all; Buddha-bhāṣitam (n. nom. sg. pp.) what the Buddha said.
[557]
[stm.]
Bālaḥ padasahasreṇa padam ekaṁ na budhyate,
A fool does not understand a single verse amongst a thousand verses,
padenaikena medhāvī padānāṁ vindate śatam. 25.20
(but) an intelligent one through one single verse understands a hundred verses.
Bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; pada-sahasreṇa (n. inst. sg.) by a thousand verses; padam (n. acc. sg.) a verse; ekam (n. acc. sg. num.) one; na (indec.) not; budhyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) understands; padena (n. inst. sg.) by a verse; ekena (n. inst. sg.) one; medhāvī (m. nom. sg.) the intelligent one; padānām (n. gen. pl.) of verses; vindate (3rd. sg. pres.) understands; śatam (n. acc. sg.) a hundred.
[558]
[stm.]
Amitraḥ paṇḍitaḥ śreyāṁ na tu bālo ’nukampakaḥ,
A wise one who is unfriendly is better than a compassionate fool,
bālo ’nukampamāno hi narakān upakarṣati. 25.21
because a fool being compassionate (still) drags one down to purgatory.
A-mitraḥ (m. nom. sg.) unfriendly; paṇḍitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a wise one; śreyān (m. nom. sg.) better; na (indec.) not; tu (metrical filler); bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; anukampakaḥ (m. nom. sg.) compassionate; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; anukampamānaḥ (m. nom. sg. prp.) being compassionate; hi (indec.) because; narakān (m. acc. pl.) purgatory; upakarṣati (3rd. sg. pres.) drags down to.
[559 ≈ Dhp 63]
[stm.]
Yo jānīyād: Ahaṁ bāla iti bālaḥ sa paṇḍitaḥ,
The one who would know: I am a fool, that fool is wise (in that),
bālaḥ paṇḍitamānī tu, bāla eva nirucyate. 25.22
but the fool who imagines himself wise, is called a fool indeed.
Yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) one who; jānīyāt (3rd. sg. opt.) would know; aham (m. nom. sg. pers. pron.) I; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; iti (indec.) thus; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that; paṇḍitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a wise one; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; paṇḍita-mānī (m. nom. sg.) imagining himself wise; tu (indec.) but; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; eva (indec.) indeed; nirucyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is called.
Yo bālo maññati bālyaṁ, paṇḍito vāpi tena so,
The fool who knows his foolishness, is wise in that matter,
bālo ca paṇḍitamānī, sa ve bālo ti vuccati.
but the fool who imagines himself wise, is said to be a fool indeed.
[560]
[stm.]
Yac ca bālaḥ praśaṁseta, yac ca nindeta paṇḍitaḥ,
There is what a fool would praise, and what a wise one would blame,
nindā tu paṇḍitāc chreṣṭhā, na tu bālāt praśaṁsanā. 25.23
but blame from the wise is best, not praise from fools.
Yat (n. nom. sg. rel. pron.) that which; ca (indec.) and; bālaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a fool; praśaṁseta (3rd. sg. opt.) would praise; yat (n. nom. sg. rel. pron.) that which; ca (indec.) and; nindeta (3rd. sg. opt.) would blame; paṇḍitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a wise one; nindā (f. nom. sg.) blame; tu (indec.) but; paṇḍitāt (m. abl. sg.) from a wise man; śreṣṭhā (f. nom. sg.) best; na (indec.) not; tu (indec.) but; bālāt (m. abl. sg.) from a fool; praśaṁsanā (f. nom. sg.) praise.
[561 cf. Dhp 207]
[adm.]
Bālaṁ na paśyec chṛṇuyān, na ca no tena saṁvaset,
One should not meet with a fool, nor listen to a fool, nor should one live together with a fool,
duḥkho bālair hi saṁvāso, hy amitreṇaiva sarvaśaḥ,
living together with fools is suffering, as with an enemy always,
dhīrais tu sukhasaṁvāso, jñātīnām iva saṁgramaḥ. 25.24
but one lives happily with the steadfast, Notice the subject is different in the Udānavarga, which states that someone can live happily with a steadfast one, not the steadfast one dwells happily, as in the Pāḷi. like one associating with his kin.
Bālam (m. acc. sg.) a fool; na (indec.) not; paśyet (3rd. sg. opt.) one should meet; śṛṇuyāt (3rd. sg. opt.) should listen; na (indec.) not; ca (indec.) and; naḥ (indec.) nor; tena (m. inst. sg. dem. pron.) with one; saṁvaset (3rd. sg. opt.) should live; duḥkhaḥ (m. nom. coll. sg.) sufferingful; bālaiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with fools; hi (indec.) for; saṁvāsaḥ (m. nom. sg.) living together; hi (indec.) indeed; a-mitreṇa (m. inst. sg.) with an enemy; eva (indec.) indeed; sarvaśaḥ (indec.) always; dhīraiḥ (m. inst. pl.) with the steadfast; tu (indec.) but; sukha-saṁvāsaḥ (m. nom. sg.) lives happily; jñātīnām (m. gen. pl.) of relatives; iva (indec.) like; saṁgamaḥ (m. nom. sg.) associating.
Bālasaṅgatacārī hi dīgham-addhāna’ socati,
For he who consorts with fools grieves for a long time,
dukkho bālehi saṁvāso, amitteneva sabbadā,
living together with fools is suffering, as with an enemy always,
dhīro ca sukhasaṁvāso, ñātīnaṁ va samāgamo.
but the steadfast one dwells happily, like one reunited with his kin.
[562]
[adm. + sim.]
Dhīraṁ prājñaṁ niṣeveta śīlavantaṁ bahuśrutam,
One should associate with the steadfast one, the wise, the virtuous, the learned,
dhaureyaṁ javasaṁpannaṁ, candraṁ tārāgaṇā iva. 25.25
the reliable, the quick-witted, like the moon amongst the multitude of stars.
Dhīram (m. acc. sg.) the steadfast one; prājñam (m. acc. sg.) the wise; niṣeveta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; śīlavantam (m. acc. sg.) the virtuous; bahu-śrutam (m. acc. sg.) learned; dhaureyam (m. acc. sg.) the reliable; java-saṁpannam (m. acc. sg.) endowed with a quick-wit; candram (m. acc. sg.) the moon; tārā-gaṇāḥ (m. acc. pl.) the multitudes of stars; iva (indec.) like.
Dhīrañ-ca paññañ-ca bahussutañ-ca, dhorayhasīlaṁ vatavantam-ariyaṁ –
The steadfast one, the wise, the learned, the virtuous, dutiful and noble –
taṁ tādisaṁ sappurisaṁ sumedhaṁ bhajetha, nakkhattapathaṁ va candimā.
you should accompany such an intelligent and true person, as the moon the path of the stars.
Mitravargaḥ, 25
The Chapter about Friends, the Twenty-Fifth