A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

8: Words
Jā 528 Mahābodhijātakaṁ
True Friends
The Bodhisatta is an ascetic who is invited by the
King to stay in his park. After some time the King
plots to kill him, and he decides to leave. When
questioned why he is going this is his reply.
148. Vītasaddhaṁ na seveyya, udapānaṁ va nodakaṁ,
Sace pi naṁ anukhaṇe, vārikaddamagandhikaṁ.
One should not mix with the faithless,
They are like wells without water,
Even if you dig out the well,
The water will still smell of mud.
149. Pasannam-eva seveyya, appasannaṁ vivajjaye,
Pasannaṁ pay i rupāseyya, rahadaṁ vodakatthiko.
One should mix with the faithful one,
And avoid the one without faith,
One should gather round the faithful,
Like one thirsty goes to a lake.
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