Dhammapada, Dhamma Verses (KN 2)
Pāli verses with English translation in this collection of 423 Dhamma verses, along with a discussion of their meaning and their collection.
Pāli verses with English translation in this collection of 423 Dhamma verses, along with a discussion of their meaning and their collection.
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5: The Chapter about Fools – 36<br />
Na hi pāpaṁ kataṁ kammaṁ, sajju khīraṁ va muccati,<br />
A wicked deed that has been done, like milk, does not turn all at once,<br />
ḍahantaṁ bālam-anveti, bhasmacchanno va pāvako. [71]<br />
smouldering, 1 it follows the fool, like a fire covered with ashes. 2<br />
Yāvad-eva anatthāya ñattaṁ bālassa jāyati,<br />
As far as learning arises for a fool, it is only to his disadvantage,<br />
hanti bālassa sukkaṁsaṁ, muddham-assa vipātayaṁ. [72]<br />
it destroys the fool’s good fortune, and it will destroy his head. 3<br />
Asataṁ bhāvanam-iccheyya, purekkhārañ-ca bhikkhusu,<br />
He may wish for the respect that is lacking, and status amongst the monastics,<br />
āvāsesu ca issar i yaṁ, pūjā parakulesu ca: [73]<br />
for control in the living quarters, and worship amongst good families:<br />
“Mameva kata’ maññantu gihī pabbajitā ubho,<br />
“Householders and renunciants should both think this was done by me,<br />
mameva ativasā assu, kiccākiccesu kismici”,<br />
let them (all) be under my sway, in all to be done and not done”,<br />
iti bālassa saṅkappo, icchā māno ca vaḍḍhati. [74]<br />
so does the fool think, (meanwhile) his desires and conceit increase.<br />
Aññā hi lābhūpanisā, aññā Nibbānagāminī,<br />
For the means to gains is one thing, the (path) going to Nibbāna another,<br />
evam-etaṁ abhiññāya bhikkhu Buddhassa sāvako<br />
thus knowing this the monastic disciple of the Buddha<br />
sakkāraṁ nābhinandeyya, vivekam-anubrūhaye. [75]<br />
should not delight in honours, (but) practise in solitude. 4<br />
Bālavaggo Pañcamo<br />
The Chapter about Fools, the Fifth<br />
1<br />
Ḍahati means burns, smoulders, consumes, torments; it is hard to get the force of it over in<br />
natural English.<br />
2<br />
There is a mix of similes in this verse, which don’t fit well together.<br />
3<br />
The commentary explains that his head here means his wisdom, though it would have been easy<br />
to write paññam-assa vipātayaṁ if that was what was intended.<br />
4<br />
Again the verse lacks any mention of fools, and might have been better placed in the<br />
Bhikkhuvagga.