Home DHP DHP 76-89

DhammaPada verses 76-89 share on associating with a wise person, characteristics of such a person, the importance of joy in the Dhamma, the benefits of renunciation, and the qualities of a well-developed mind.

Paṇḍita vagga - Chapter 6 - The Wise

76

As one who reveals hidden treasures,
one should regard a person who sees faults;
A wise person who reproves and admonishes,
one should associate with such a wise person;
For one associating with such a person,
things become better, not worse.

77

One should advise and instruct [others],
and prevent what is unwholesome;
For one is dear to the virtuous,
but to the unvirtuous, one is not dear.

78

Do not associate with |bad::harmful, injurious, destructive, or evil [pāpaka]| friends,
do not associate with |base::vile, mean [adhama]| people;
one should associate with good friends,
one should associate with |best::highest, supreme [uttama]| amongst people.

79

One who is joyous in Dhamma dwells at ease,
with a clear and tranquil mind;
In the Dhamma taught by the noble ones,
the wise person always |rejoices::enjoys, takes delight in [ramati]|.

80

Irrigators direct the water,
fletchers bend the arrow;
Carpenters shape the wood,
And the wise |tame::master, control [damayanti]| themselves.

81

Just as a solid rock,
is not shaken by the wind;
So too in blame and praise,
the wise do not waver.

82

Just as a deep lake,
clear and undisturbed;
So too, having heard the teachings,
the wise |become tranquil::become serene, bright, radiant [vippasīdanti]|.

83

Indeed, the |virtuous::good, arahant, awakened being [sappurisā]| renounce [attachment for] everything,
the peaceful do not |babble::chat up, appeal [lapayanti]|, craving sensual pleasures;
When touched |by pleasure::by comfort, by ease [sukhena]| or |by displeasure::by discomfort, by pain [dukhena]|,
the wise do not exhibit |elation or dejection::highs and lows, ups and downs [uccāvacaṃ]|.

84

Not for one‘s own sake, nor for another’s,
nor desiring son, wealth, or land;
One should not wish for prosperity through |misconduct::immoral behavior, unjust means, cheating [adhammena]|,
one should be ethical, righteous and wise.

85

Few among humans are those,
who cross over to the further shore;
But the rest of the people,
merely run along the bank.

86

And those who follow the Dhamma,
well-taught and rightly expounded;
Those people will cross over,
the realm of death, which is so difficult to escape.

87

Abandoning the dark qualities,
the wise one should cultivate the bright;
Having gone from home to homelessness,
in solitude, which is hard to find.

88

One should desire happiness there,
having abandoned sensual pleasures, |with nothing::without possessions [akiñcano]|;
the wise one should purify oneself,
from |defilements::impurities [klesa]| of the mind.

89

For those whose mind has been well-developed,
in the |factors of awakening::the seven factors of awakening, factors of enlightenment [sambodhiyaṅga]|;
Who, free from attachment,
are devoted to |not holding onto::not grasping onto, detaching from, not taking possession of [anupādāya]|;
The ones whose taints are destroyed, who are radiant,
those are fully quenched in the world.

Last updated on March 27, 2025

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