XV.SUKHAVAGGA. HAPPINESS

197. Ah, happily do we live without hate amongst the hateful; amidst hateful men we dwell unhating.

198. Ah, happily do we live in good health among the ailing; amidst ailing men we dwell in good health.

199. Ah, happily do we live without yearning (for sensual pleasures) amongst those who yearn (for them); amidst those who yearn (for them) we dwell without yearning.

200. Ah, happily do we live, we who have no impediments ; feeders of joy shall we be even as the gods of the Radiant Realm.

201. Victory breeds hatred; the defeated live in pain. Happily the peaceful live, giving up victory and defeat.

202. There is no fire like lust, no crime like hate; there is no ill like the body, no bliss higher than Peace (Nibbãna).

203. Hunger is the greatest disease, compound things the greatest ill; knowing this as it really is (the wise realize) Nibbãna, the bliss supreme.

204. Health is the highest gain; contentment is the greatest wealth; trustful are the best kinsmen ; Nibbãna is the highest bliss.

205. Having tasted the flavour of seclusion and the flavour of Nibbãna's Peace, woeless and stainless becomes he, drinking the taste of the joy of the Dhamma.

206. Good is the sight of Ariyas: their company is ever happy; by not seeing fools one may ever be happy.

207. Truly he who moves in company with fools grieves for a long time; association with fools is ever painful as with a foe. Happy is association with the wise, even like meeting with kinsfolk.

208. With the intelligent, the wise, the learned, the devout, the dutiful and the Ariya - with such a virtuous, intellectual man should one associate, as the moon follows its course among the stars.