A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

23: Fools
Jā 480 Akittijātakaṁ
Never Seeing a Fool is Best
The Bodhisatta is an ascetic who lives far from
the haunts of men, when Sakka offers him a boon,
this is part of what he asks for.
441. Bālaṁ na passe na suṇe, na ca bālena saṁvase,
Bālen' allāpasallāpaṁ na kare, na ca rocaye.
May I not see or hear a fool,
May I not reside with a fool,
May I not hold talk with a fool,
Nor find any pleasure in him.
442. Anayaṁ nayati dummedho, adhurāya niyuñjati,
Dunnayo seyyaso hoti, sammā vutto pakuppati,
Vinayaṁ so na jānāti, sādhu tassa adassanaṁ.
The foolish one brings misfortune,
Being quite irresponsible,
The best he does is badly judged,
He is angry when spoken to,
And he does not know discipline,
It is good not to meet with him.
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