11. The Chapter about Fools (PDHP174-194)

Patna Dhammapada

11. The Chapter about Fools

Stupid fools live having themselves as their own foes,

committing wicked deeds, which produce bitter fruit.

How could he do that deed, which, having done, one has regret,

for which he has tears on his face, as the result follows him round.

But that deed is well done, which, having done, one has no regret,

for which he is pleased and happy, as the result follows him round.

As far as learning arises for a fool, it is only to his disadvantage,

it destroys the fool’s good quality, and it will destroy his head.

He wishes for the respect that is lacking, and status amongst the monastics,

for control in the living quarters, and worship amongst good families:

“Householders and renunciants should think this was done by me,

let none be a match for me, in all to be done and not done”,

so does the fool think, meanwhile his desires and conceit increase.

For the means to gains is one thing, the path going to Nibbāna another,

thus seeing this as it really is the disciple of the Buddha

should not delight in honours, but practise in solitude.

The fool thinks there is success, when he speaks words that are rough,

but for the one who knows, endurance is the success of the good.

Without power is the power of him whose power is the power of a fool,

reproach is not found for the powerful one, protected by Dhamma.

The fool who conceives he is a fool, is at least wise in that matter,

the fool who is proud of his wisdom, he is said to be a fool indeed.

Long is the night for one who sleeps not, long is a league for one tired,

long is the round of births and deaths for fools who know not True Dhamma.

That man who wraps up rotting fish with the best fragrant grass,

makes the fragrant grass smell rotten, and so with those who associate with fools.

That man who wraps up pinwheel in flame-tree leaves,

makes even the leaf fragrant, and so with those who associate with the wise.

If one who does no wickedness associates with those who do,

he is suspected of wickedness, and his disrepute increases.

An associate associating with others who are touched by contacts,

like a smeared arrow in a bunch, smears that which is unsmeared,

fearing being smeared the wise one will not have wicked friends.

Therefore knowing the result for oneself of the fruit container,

he should not follow the bad one, the wise one should associate with the good one.

Even if a fool attends on a wise man for his whole life long,

he does not learn Dhamma, like the spoon learns not the taste of curry.

If a perceptive man attends on a wise man even for a second,

he quickly learns Dhamma, like the tongue learns the taste of curry.

One should not despise a little wickedness thinking: it will not come to me,

through the falling of water drops the water-pot is quickly filled,

the fool, gathering bit by bit, becomes full of wickedness.

One should not despise little merit thinking: it will not come to me,

through the falling of water drops the water-pot is quickly filled,

the wise one, gathering bit by bit, becomes full of merit.

The Chapter about Fools