Chapter 15

Happy indeed we live, friendly amid the haters. Among men who hate we dwell free from hate.

Happy indeed we live, healthy amid the sick. Among men who are sick we dwell free from sickness.

Happy indeed we live, content amid the greedy. Among men who are greedy we dwell free from greed.

Happy indeed we live, we for whom there are no possessions (kiñcana-s). Feeders on rapture shall we be, like the gods of Brilliant Light.

Victory begets hatred, (for) the defeated one experiences suffering. The tranquil one experiences happiness, giving up (both) victory and defeat.

There is no fire like lust, no blemish like demerit (kali), no suffering like the taking up of the (five) constituents (of conditioned existence), no happiness like peace.

Hunger is the worst disease, conditioned existence the worst suffering. Knowing this as it really is (one realizes that) Nirvāṇa is the highest happiness.

Health is the highest gain, contentment the greatest riches. The trustworthy are the best kinsmen, Nirvāṇa is the supreme happiness.

Having enjoyed the flavour of solitude and tranquillity, free from sorrow and free from sin, one enjoys the rapturous flavour of the Truth (dhamma).

Good it is to see the spiritually developed (ariya-s); to (actually) dwell with them is always happiness. By not seeing the spiritually immature, one indeed will be perpetually happy.

By living in company with the spiritually immature one grieves for a long time. Association with the spiritually immature is always painful, like association with an enemy. Association with the wise is pleasant, like the coming together of relatives.

(Therefore it is said:) Follow one who is wise, understanding, and learned, who bears the yoke of virtue, is religious and spiritually developed (ariya). Follow one of such a nature, as the moon follows the path of the stars.