The Wise Man (Pandita)

76. If you see an intelligent man who tells you where true treasures are to be found, who shows what is to be avoided, and administers reproofs, follow that wise man; it will be better, not worse, for those who follow him.

76. If you meet an intelligent man who tells you where to find true treasures, follow that wise man. Follow him if he also shows you what to avoid and corrects your faults. Those who follow him will be better off, not worse.

77. Let him admonish, let him teach, let him forbid what is improper!—he will be beloved of the good, by the bad he will be hated.

77. Let him correct others, let him teach, let him forbid what is wrong! Good people will love him, but bad people will hate him.

78. Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men.

78. Do not befriend people who do evil. Do not befriend people of low character. Befriend virtuous people. Choose the best people as friends.

79. He who drinks in the law lives happily with a serene mind: the sage rejoices always in the law, as preached by the elect (Ariyas).

79. Whoever drinks in the teachings lives happily with a peaceful mind. The wise person always delights in the teachings, as taught by the noble ones (Ariyas).

80. Well-makers lead the water (wherever they like); fletchers bend the arrow; carpenters bend a log of wood; wise people fashion themselves.

80. Well diggers direct water (wherever they want). Arrow makers bend arrows. Carpenters bend wood. Wise people shape themselves.

81. As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, wise people falter not amidst blame and praise.

81. Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, wise people remain steady through blame and praise.

82. Wise people, after they have listened to the laws, become serene, like a deep, smooth, and still lake.

82. After listening to the teachings, wise people become calm, like a deep lake with a smooth, still surface.

83. Good people walk on whatever befall, the good do not prattle, longing for pleasure; whether touched by happiness or sorrow wise people never appear elated or depressed.

83. Good people keep going no matter what happens. They do not chatter out of a longing for pleasure. Whether experiencing happiness or sorrow, wise people never appear overjoyed or downcast.

84. If, whether for his own sake, or for the sake of others, a man wishes neither for a son, nor for wealth, nor for lordship, and if he does not wish for his own success by unfair means, then he is good, wise, and virtuous.

84. Suppose a man wants no son, wealth, or power, either for himself or for others. If he also does not want success through unfair means, he is good, wise, and virtuous.

85. Few are there among men who arrive at the other shore (become Arhats); the other people here run up and down the shore.

85. Few people reach the other shore (become Arhats). The others here run up and down the shore.

86. But those who, when the law has been well preached to them, follow the law, will pass across the dominion of death, however difficult to overcome.

86. But those who follow the law after it has been well taught to them will cross beyond death’s realm. They will do so no matter how hard that realm is to overcome.

87, 88. A wise man should leave the dark state (of ordinary life), and follow the bright state (of the Bhikshu). After going from his home to a homeless state, he should in his retirement look for enjoyment where there seemed to be no enjoyment. Leaving all pleasures behind, and calling nothing his own, the wise man should purge himself from all the troubles of the mind.

87, 88. A wise man should leave the darkness of ordinary life and follow the bright path of the Bhikshu (monk). After leaving his home for a homeless life, he should seek joy in solitude where no joy seemed possible. Leaving all pleasures behind and claiming nothing as his own, he should free himself from all troubles of the mind.

89. Those whose mind is well grounded in the (seven) elements of knowledge, who without clinging to anything, rejoice in freedom from attachment, whose appetites have been conquered, and who are full of light, are free (even) in this world.

89. Those whose minds are firmly grounded in the (seven) elements of knowledge cling to nothing and delight in freedom from attachment. They have conquered their desires and are full of light. They are free (even) in this world.