A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

11: Association, 2
203. Sevamāno sevamānaṁ, samphuṭṭho samphusaṁ paraṁ,
Saro diddho kalāpaṁ va alittam-upalimpati,
Upalepabhayā Dhīro neva pāpasakhā siyā.
Associating with associates,
Being touched by another's touch,
A poisoned arrow soon defiles
A quiver that is undefiled,
But the Wise One is not afraid
He will be defiled by his friends.
204. Pūtimacchaṁ kusaggena yo naro upanayhati
Kusāpi pūti vāyanti, evaṁ bālūpasevanā.
Just as one who wraps rotten fish
In sacred and sweet-smelling grass
Finds the grass will soon smell rotten,
So it is from mixing with fools.
205. Tagaraṁ va palāsena yo naro upanayhati
Pattā pi surabhi vāyanti, evaṁ Dhīrūpasevanā.
Just as one who wraps up incense
In leaves that are without a smell
Will soon find the leaves smell fragrant,
So it is from mixing with the Wise.
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