Everything the good renounce,
the peaceful chatter not of fond delights,
and whether touched by pleasure or pain
nor joy or woe in the wise is seen.
Explanation: The noble and wise persons are not attached to anything whatsoever in the world. The disciplined persons do not talk desiring worldly things, material benefits or sensual delights. Whatever fortune or ill-fortune may touch them, they remain calm, neither depressed or elated. Continue reading “Verse 83. The Wise Are Tranquil”
Even as a fathomless lake,
a lake so calm and clear,
so dhammas having heard
serene the wise become.
Explanation: The exceedingly deep oceans are tranquil, calm and are not agitated. In the same way whose wise ones who listen to the word of the Buddha acquire deep awareness and are extremely calm and tranquil. Continue reading “Verse 82. The Wise Are Happy”
Just as a mighty boulder
stirs not with the wind,
so the wise are never moved
either by praise or blame.
Explanation: The wise remain unmoved and unruffled both by praise and humiliation. The wise remain unshaken under all vicissitudes of life, like the solid rock that withstands the buffetings of wind, unmoved. Continue reading “Verse 81. The Wise Are Steadfast”
Irrigators govern waters,
fletchers fashion shafts,
as joiners shape their timber
those who are wise tame themselves.
Explanation: The irrigator who manages water is skilled in directing water to whatever place he wants. The fletcher skilfully shapes a very straight arrow-shaft out of a piece of wood by working skilfully on it. The carpenter selects a block of wood and constructs whatever he wants out of it, depending on his need. In the same way, the wise person works upon their mind, restraining it the way they desire. Continue reading “Verse 80. The Wise Control Themselves”
Happy is he who Dhamma drinks
with heart that’s clear and cool.
One so wise e’er delights
in Dhamma declared by the Noble.
Explanation: One who delights in “The Teaching” lives happily with a pure mind. The experience of the “Sublime Ones” the wise always enjoy. Continue reading “Verse 79. Living Happily In The Dhamma”
Don’t go around with evil friends,
with rogues do not resort.
Spend your time with noble friends,
and worthy ones consort.
Explanation: Do not associate with people who have evil ways. Avoid the company of wicked, evil people who are mean and bad. Associate with worthy friends. Keep the company of noble persons who are superior in quality and virtue and who will be able to elevate you. Continue reading “Verse 78. In The Company Of The Virtuous”
Let him exhort, let him instruct,
and check one from abasement.
Dear indeed is he to the true,
not dear is he to the false.
Explanation: The wise and good person who reproaches and warns, and prevents a person from getting into anti-social behaviour, is liked by virtuous individuals – and disliked by those who are evil. Continue reading “Verse 77. The Virtuous Cherish Good Advice”
Should one a man of wisdom meet
who points out faults and gives reproof,
who lays a hidden treasure bare,
with such a sage should one consort.
Consorting so is one enriched
and never in decline.
Explanation: If one discovers a wise person who points out one’s errors and sternly corrects one, he should be looked upon as a benign revealer of a treasure. His company should be sought. Such association would make better persons of men. Continue reading “Verse 76. Treasure The Advice Of The Wise”
One is the way to worldly gain,
another to Nibbana goes.
Clearly comprehending this
the bhikkhu, Buddha’s follower
should wallow not in proffered gifts,
surrendering instead to solitude.
Explanation: There is one way to worldly and material progress and profit. But the way to Nibbana is quite different than that. The monk, who is the Buddha’s disciple, should be clearly aware of this difference. He must not take delight in the worldly gifts with which he is being enticed. He must on the other hand seek solitude. Continue reading “Verse 75. Path To Liberation”
Both monks and laymen, let them think
‘This was done by me,
whatever the works, both great and small,
let them depend on me’.
Such the intention of a fool,”
swollen his greed and conceit.
Explanation: The ignorant has this attitude of mind: “Let everybody know that this was done by me alone. In whatever activity small or big my leadership shall prevail. Everybody must follow me.” This conceit of the ignorant leads to craving, uncontrolled desire and to a groundless pride, to a false sense of superiority. These begin to grow.
