76. The disciple
should associate with a wise friend, who detects and censures his faults, and
who points out virtues as a guide tells of buried treasures. There is
happiness, not woe, to him who associates with such an intelligent friend.
77. The man who
exhorts, instructs and dissuades his fellowmen from unworthy acts is dear to
the virtuous and hated by the wicked.
78.
Do not keep company with evildoing friends nor with people who are base;
associate with the good, associate with the best of men.
79. One who drinks
the nectar of the Good Law lives happily with a tranquil mind.
The wise man ever delights in the Dharma as realized by the Noble Ones.
80. Irrigators
conduct the water wherever they wish; fletchers shape the shafts; carpenters
work the wood, and wise men discipline
themselves.
81. As a solid rock
is not shaken by the wind, so the wise are not shaken by censure or praise.
82. The wise,
having hearkened to the Good Law, become serene like unto a deep, calm and
crystal-clear lake.
83. Good men
abandon lusting after things; they take no pleasure in sensual speech; when
touched by happiness or sorrow, the wise show no elation or dejection.
84. For the sake of
oneself, or for the sake of another, one should not long for a son, wealth or a
kingdom. He who does not crave success or prosperity by wrongful means is
indeed virtuous, wise and honorable.
85 Few among men
cross over to the further shore; the multitudes who remain run to and fro on
this shore.
86. Those who live according to the Dharma which has been well
proclaimed (by the Buddha) will cross over the impassable realm of death to the
further shore.
87. Having
abandoned the ways of darkness, let the wise follow
the light. Having come from home to homelessness, let him enjoy the bliss of
solitude, so difficult to achieve.
88. He should focus
his mind upon that exalted state (nirvana). Having given up all sense
pleasures, possessing nothing, let the wise, cleansing the mind from
defilements, purify the self.
89. Those whose
minds are well fixed upon the elements of enlightenment (sambodhi), who, without hankering after anything, glory in renunciation,
whose biases are extinguished, who are full of light,
they indeed have attained the bliss of nirvana in this very world.
Theosophical
University Press Online Edition