14. The Wise (T210.14)

He who deeply examines good and evil,
Knows at heart what to fear and shun.
[Thus] fearing, he does not transgress,
And there is always happiness and no sorrow.

He who has merit from his previous life,
Should mindfully continue his [good] practices.
Goodness brings realization to his wishes,
And his good fortune will increase.

Believe in goodness and make merit.
Be not tired of [accumulating] good practices.
Believe and know that there is effect of good deed,
Eventually, [all] will be clear.

Always avoid [unprofitable] company.
Do not be close to the fools.
Think of following the good friends.
Associate with the noble ones.

He who finds joy in the Dharma sleeps well,
With a happy and clear mind.
The Dharma expounded by the Noble,
The wise always delight in practicing.

The virtuous and wise ones,
Observe precepts and follow the Way;
Like the moon amidst the stars,
They illumine the world.

Fletchers shape the horns,
Navigators shape their boats,
Carpenters shape the wood,
The wise ones shape themselves.

Just as a thick rock
Is unmoved by the wind;
The mind of the wise is heavy enough
Not to be upset by praise or blame.

Just as a deep pond
Is limpid and clear;
The wise, having heard the Dharma
Becomes clear in his mind and happy.

The great man has in his nature no craving,
Everywhere he shines forth brightly.
Though encountering now pleasure now pain,
He does not loftily show off his wisdom.

The virtuous one has no worldly engagement;
He desires neither sons nor wealth nor land.
Always morally conscious, wise and righteous,
He covets not material success by unjust means.

The wise one knows that when one’s mind wobbles,
It is like a tree planted in sand.
If amidst friends, one’s mind is not yet firm,
One gets tainted in accordance with their colours.

The world is immersed in the sea;
Few cross over to the [other] shore.
If there is anyone
Wishing to cross, he must run fast.

Those who sincerely desire the truth
Accept the True Teaching
—This is being near the Other Shore;
It is best to be liberated from death.

He who cuts off the five aggregates,
Contemplative and wise,
Does not return to the deep sea.
Abandoning clinging—this is being wise.

He who controls his passions,
Giving up on pleasure, and craving for naught,
Can come to rescue himself
From his sullied mind—this is being wise.

Those who train to obtain right knowledge,
Who contemplate on true Enlightenment,
Who accept Truth with one mind,
Who delight in not grasping,
Whose cankers and conditionings are destroyed
—Such persons have transcended the world.

Translated from the Chinese by Bhikkhu Kuala Lumpur Dhammajoti

From his book The Chinese Version of Dharmapada, Translated with introduction and annotations.

Published here with the kind permission of the author.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Ayya Vimala.