Chapter 23

I shall patiently endure abuse, just as the (trained) elephant endures in battle the arrow (shot) from a bow. The many are indeed ill-natured (or: badly behaved).

The tamed (elephant) is led to the assembly; the king mounts the tamed (elephant). Among men, best is the (self-)controlled person who patiently endures abuse.

Trained mules are best, also (equine) thoroughbreds of Sindh, and the mighty (fighting) elephants. (But) best of all is the self-controlled man.

One does not go to the unfrequented realm by such vehicles as these, as does a controlled one go (to it) by means of a well-subdued, disciplined self.

The elephant called Dhanapāla is difficult to restrain when his temples are streaming with must (in the time of rut). Shackled, he refuses (his) food. The tusker remembers the (delightful) elephant forest.

When one is sluggish and gluttonous, given to sleep, (and) a roller-about like a great hog fed on grains, such a stupid person goes again and again to a womb (to be reborn).

Formerly this mind (of mine) went wandering about where it wished, as it liked, (and) according to its pleasure. Today I will control it radically, as the wielder of the (elephant driver’s) hook restrains the (rutting) elephant.

Be delighters in non-heedlessness. Keep watch over your mind. Lift yourself clear of the difficult road (of the mental defilements), as an elephant sunk in a bog (hauls himself out).

Should you get a sensible companion, one who is fit company (for you), who behaves well, and is wise, (then) go about with him joyous and mindful, overcoming all (external and internal) dangers.

Should you not get a sensible companion, one who is fit company (for you), who behaves well, and is wise, (then) go about alone, like a king forsaking a conquered country, (or) like an elephant (living solitary) in the Mātaṅga forest.

It is better to go about alone; there is no companionship with the spiritually immature. Going about alone one commits no sins, like an elephant living unconcerned in the Mātaṅga forest.

Friends are good in time of need. Contentment is good in every way. At the end of life (a store of) merit is good (or: a meritorious action is good). Good is the leaving behind of all suffering.

Here reverence for mother is good; reverence for father is also good. Here reverence for asketicism is good; reverence for holiness is also good.

The lifelong practice of virtue (sῑla) is good. A (firmly) established faith (in the Three Jewels) is good. Good is the getting of wisdom (paññā). The non-doing of evil is good.