VI.PANDITAVAGGA. THE WISE

76. Should one see a wise man, who, like a revealer of treasures, points out faults and reproves, let one associate with such a wise person; it will be better, not worse, for him who associates with such a one.

77. Let him advise, instruct, and dissuade one from evil; truly pleasing is he to the good, displeasing is he to the bad.

78. Associate not with evil friends, associate not with mean men; associate with good friends, associate with noble men.

79. He who imbibes the Dhamma abides in happiness with mind pacified; the wise man ever delights in the Dhamma revealed by the Ariyas.

80. Irrigators lead the waters; fletchers bend the shafts; carpenters bend the wood; the wise control themselves.

81. As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, even so the wise are not ruffled by praise or blame.

82. Just as a lake, deep, clear, and still, even so on hearing the teachings the wise become exceedingly peaceful.

83. The good give up (attachment for) everything; the saintly prattle not with the thoughts of craving: whether affected by happiness or by pain, the wise show neither elation nor depression.

84. Neither for the sake of oneself nor for the sake of another (a wise person does any wrong); he should not desire sons, wealth, or kingdom (by doing wrong); by unjust means he should not desire his own success. Then (only) such a one is indeed virtuous, wise, and righteous.

85. Few are there amongst men who go to the Further Shore ; the rest of this mankind only run about on the bank.

86. But those who rightly act according to the teaching, which is well expounded, those are they who will reach the Further Shore (crossing) the realm of passions, so hard to cross.

87, 88. Coming from home to the homeless, the wise man should abandon dark states and cultivate the bright. He should seek great delight in detachment (Nibbãna), so hard to enjoy. Giving up sensual pleasures, with no impediments, the wise man should cleanse himself of the impurities of the mind.

89. Whose minds are well perfected in the factors of Enlightenment, - who, without clinging, delight in 'the giving up of grasping' (i.e. Nibbãna), they, the corruption-free, shining ones, have attained Nibbãna even in this world.