157
If one considers oneself |dear::beloved [piya]|,
one should guard oneself well;
In one of the three watches [of the night] [1],
the wise person should |watch over::look after, with mindfulness and full awareness [paṭijaggati]|.
158
One should first |establish::settle [nivesayati]| oneself,
in what is |proper::appropriate, fitting [patirūpa]|;
Then one may instruct another,
A wise person should not become |defiled::stained, afflicted [kilissati]|.
159
One should act towards oneself in the same way,
as one instructs another;
One who is |well-tamed::well trained, well controlled [sudanta]| can tame others,
for it is hard to tame oneself.
160
Indeed, oneself is one‘s own |refuge::protector [nātha]|,
for who else could be another’s refuge;
By means of a well-tamed self,
one obtains a refuge that is hard to find.
161
Indeed the |injurious [actions]::harmful, bad, potentially evil intentions or actions [pāpa]| committed by oneself,
born from oneself, arising from oneself;
Crushes the |undiscerning one::one lacking discernment, who has not cultivated wisdom, unwise [dummedha]|,
like a diamond crushes a rock-made jewel.
162
For the one whose conduct is extremely |unprincipled::without regard for ethical conduct, immoral [dussīla]|,
like a creeping vine that |envelopes::spreads over, overpowers [otthata]| a |sal tree::a tall, majestic hardwood tree known for its strength, durability, and grandeur, Shorea robusta [sāla]|;
He brings himself to such a state,
as an enemy would wish for him.
163
Easy to do are things that are |unwholesome::bad, evil, harmful [asādhu]|,
and |unbeneficial::harmful, not good [ahita]| to oneself;
But what is |beneficial::good, advantageous [hita]| and auspicious,
that is indeed hard to do.
164
Whoever rejects the teachings upheld by the |Arahants::a worthy one, a fully awakened being, epithet of the Buddha [arahant]|,
of the noble ones who live according to the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|;
The |undiscerning person::one lacking discernment, who has not cultivated wisdom, unwise [dummedha]| who |refuses to accept::disdains [paṭikkosati]| it,
leaning on a |harmful::injurious, destructive, bad, evil [pāpaka]| view;
Like the bamboo when it bears fruit [2],
brings about his own destruction.
165
By oneself is wrong done,
by oneself one becomes impure;
By oneself is wrong |left undone::not done, not performed [akata]|,
by oneself one becomes purified;
Purity and impurity are individual matters,
no one can purify another.
166
One‘s own good should not be abandoned for the sake of another’s,
Not even for the good of many;
Having understood one’s own welfare,
One should remain intent on it.