60
Dīghā jāgarato ratti,
dīghaṁ santassa yojanaṁ;
Dīgho bālāna saṁsāro,
saddhammaṁ avijānataṁ.
Long is the night for one who is awake,
long is a |yojana::a unit of distance used in ancient India, ranging from 3.5 to 15 km [yojana]| for one who is tired;
Long is the |cyclic existence::wandering on, moving on continuously, passing from one state of existence to another, stream of existence [saṃsāra]| for the |immature::lacking in discernment or good sense, child-like in understanding [bāla]|,
those who do not understand the true |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|.
61
Carañce nādhigaccheyya,
Seyyaṁ sadisamattano;
Ekacariyaṁ daḷhaṁ kayirā,
Natthi bāle sahāyatā.
If, while wandering, one does not find,
a companion who is better or equal;
One should steadfastly pursue a |solitary life::going about or living alone [ekacariyā]|,
there is no fellowship with the immature.
62
Puttā matthi dhanaṁ matthi,
iti bālo vihaññati;
Attā hi attano natthi,
kuto puttā kuto dhanaṁ.
“These are my children, this is my wealth,”
with such thoughts the immature person |is afflicted::is troubled by, is worried about, is distressed by, suffers anguish from [vihaññati]|;
One’s self is not even one’s own,
how then can there be sons? How then, wealth?
63
Yo bālo maññati bālyaṁ,
paṇḍito vāpi tena so;
Bālo ca paṇḍitamānī,
sa ve “bālo”ti vuccati.
The immature person who knows his |immaturity::childishness, ignorance [bālya]|,
is wise to that extent;
The immature person who believes they are wise,
is truly said to be “immature.”
64
Yāvajīvampi ce bālo,
paṇḍitaṁ payirupāsati;
Na so dhammaṁ vijānāti,
dabbī sūparasaṁ yathā.
Even if for a whole lifetime, an immature person,
|associates closely with::honors, respects [payirupāsati]| a wise person;
They do not understand the Dhamma,
just as a spoon does not know the taste of soup.
65
Muhuttamapi ce viññū,
paṇḍitaṁ payirupāsati;
Khippaṁ dhammaṁ vijānāti,
jivhā sūparasaṁ yathā.
Even if for only a moment, a |discerning person::intelligent, who can distinguish [viññū]|,
associates closely with a wise person;
They swiftly understand the Dhamma,
just as the tongue knows the taste of soup.
66
Caranti bālā dummedhā,
amitteneva attanā;
Karontā pāpakaṁ kammaṁ,
yaṁ hoti kaṭukapphalaṁ.
Immature persons who lack discernment,
act as their own enemies;
Performing harmful deeds,
which |bear bitter fruits::with painful results [kaṭuka + phala]|.
67
Na taṁ kammaṁ kataṁ sādhu,
yaṁ katvā anutappati;
Yassa assumukho rodaṁ,
vipākaṁ paṭisevati.
That action is not well done,
which, having done, one |later regrets::suffers remorse from [anutappati]|;
With a tearful face, one weeps,
experiencing its result.
68
Tañca kammaṁ kataṁ sādhu,
yaṁ katvā nānutappati;
Yassa patīto sumano,
vipākaṁ paṭisevati.
And that action is well done,
which, having done, one does not regret;
One is satisfied and cheerful,
experiencing its result.
69
Madhuṁvā maññati bālo,
yāva pāpaṁ na paccati;
Yadā ca paccati pāpaṁ,
atha dukkhaṁ nigacchati.
An immature person |conceives::thinks, imagines, presumes, supposes [maññati]| it is like honey,
until the misdeed does not ripen;
but when the misdeed ripens,
then they fall into |suffering::pain, discomfort, unease, unpleasantness, trouble, stress [dukkha]|.
70
Māse māse kusaggena,
bālo bhuñjeyya bhojanaṁ;
Na so saṅkhātadhammānaṁ,
kalaṁ agghati soḷasiṁ.
Even if, month by month, an immature person,
were to eat their food |with the tip of a grass blade::a reference to undertaking an extreme austerity [kusagga]|;
Yet compared to the |one who has comprehended the nature of reality::one who has understood the Dhamma, the truth, an Arahant, awakened being [saṅkhātadhamma]|,
they are not worth a sixteenth part.
71
Na hi pāpaṁ kataṁ kammaṁ,
Sajjukhīraṁva muccati;
Ḍahantaṁ bālamanveti,
Bhasmacchannova pāvako.
Indeed, an |injurious action::harmful, bad, potentially evil intention or action [pāpa]|, once performed,
does not solidify quickly, like fresh milk thickening;
Smoldering, it shadows the immature person,
like fire hidden beneath ashes.
72
Yāvadeva anatthāya,
ñattaṁ bālassa jāyati;
Hanti bālassa sukkaṁsaṁ,
muddhamassa vipātayaṁ.
Only for the sake of |harm::misfortune, damage, injury, hurt, detriment [anattha]|,
does knowledge arise in an immature person;
It afflicts their good fortune,
and shatters their head.
73
Asantaṁ bhāvanamiccheyya,
Purekkhārañca bhikkhusu;
Āvāsesu ca issariyaṁ,
Pūjaṁ parakulesu ca.
He would desire praise for the qualities he does not possess,
and |precedence::esteem [purekkhāra]| among the bhikkhus;
Authority in dwelling places,
and |veneration::homage, honor [pūjā]| from other households.
74
Mameva kata maññantu,
gihī pabbajitā ubho;
Mamevātivasā assu,
kiccākiccesu kismici;
Iti bālassa saṅkappo,
icchā māno ca vaḍḍhati.
Let both householders and renunciants
think, “This was done by me alone,”
Let them be dependent on me,
in whatever should or should not be done;
Such is the |intention::thought, volition, conception, plan [saṅkappa]| of an immature person,
their |longings::wishes, desires [icchā]| and |conceit::self-view expressed as comparison—seeing oneself as superior, inferior, or equal; the persistent “I am” conceit (asmimāna) that underlies identification and fuels rebirth [māna]| only grow.
75
Aññā hi lābhūpanisā,
aññā nibbānagāminī;
Evametaṁ abhiññāya,
bhikkhu buddhassa sāvako;
Sakkāraṁ nābhinandeyya,
vivekamanubrūhaye.
For the pursuit of |acquisitions::gain, money, profit, possessions [lābha]| is one thing,
and the path to |Nibbāna::complete cooling, letting go of everything, deathless, freedom from calamity, the non-disintegrating [nibbāna]| is another;
Experientially understanding this,
a bhikkhu, disciple of the Buddha;
Should not take delight in |respect::honor, accolade, reverence [sakkāra]|,
but should cultivate |seclusion::solitude, detachment [viveka]|.