062

Long is the night to the sleepless; long is the league to the weary; long is worldly existence to fools who know not the Sublime Truth.

063

Should a seeker not find a companion who is one's better or equal, let one resolutely pursue a solitary course; there is no fellowship with a fool.

064

The fool worries, thinking, "I have sons, I have wealth." Indeed, when he himself is not his own, whence are sons, whence is wealth? A fool knows his foolishness is wise at least to that extent, but a fool who thinks himself wise is called a fool indeed.

065

Though all his life a fool associate with a wise person, he no more comprehends the Truth than a spoon tastes the flavour of the soup.

066

Though only for a moment a discerning person associate with a wise person, quickly he comprehends the Truth, just as the tongue tastes the flavour of the soup.

067

Fools of little wit are enemies unto themselves as they move about doing evil deeds, the fruits of which are bitter.

068

Ill done is that action doing which one repents later, and the fruits of which one reaps, weeping with tearful face.

069

Well done is that action doing which one repents not later, and the fruits of which one reaps with delight and happiness.

070

So long as an evil deed has not ripened, the fool thinks it as sweet as honey. But when the evil deed ripens, the fool comes to grief.

071

Month after month a fool may eat his food with the tip of a blade of grass, but he still is not worth a sixteenth part of those who have comprehended the Truth.

072

Truly, an evil deed committed does not immediately bear fruit, like milk that does not turn sour all at once. But smouldering, it follows the fool like fire covered by ashes.

073

To his own ruin the fool gains knowledge, for it cleaves his head and destroys his innate goodness.

074

The fool seeks undeserved reputation, precedence among renunciates, authority over monasteries, and honour among householders.

075

"Let both laypersons and renunciates think that it was done by me. In every work, great and small, let them follow me"--such is the ambition of the fool; thus his desire and pride increases.

076

One is the quest for worldly gain, and quite another is the path to Nibbana. Clearly understanding this, let not the renunciate, the disciple of the Buddha, be carried away by worldly acclaim, but develop detachment instead.