Chapter 6

Should one see a man of understanding who, as if indicating a (buried) treasure, points out faults and administers reproof, let one associate with such a spiritually mature person. To associate with one like this is good, not evil.

Let him instruct, let him advise, let him restrain (one) from uncivilized behaviour, (and the result will be that) he will be dear to the good and detestable to the bad. the spiritually mature

Do not associate with evil friends; do not associate with low fellows. Associate with spiritual friends; associate with superior men (purisuttama-s).

One who has imbibed the Truth lives happily with well-seeing mind. The spiritually mature person delights in the Truth made known by the Noble (ariya-s).

Irrigators draw off waters; fletchers straighten arrows; carpenters shape wood; the spiritually mature discipline themselves.

As a solid rock cannot be shaken by the wind, so the spiritually mature person is unmoved by praise or blame.

Hearing the teachings (of the Buddha) the spiritually mature become clear (or calm) like a deep lake (suddenly) becoming clear or undisturbed.

True men give up everything; the righteous do not speak wishing for sensuous pleasures. Touched now by pleasure, now by pain, the spiritually mature show neither elation nor depression.

Not for one’s own sake, nor for the sake of others, should one desire sons, wealth, or territory; one should not desire success for oneself by unrighteous means. He (who behaves in such a way) is virtuous, is wise, is righteous.

Few among men are those who go to the Further Shore. The other (ordinary) people chase up and down this shore.

Those people who conform themselves to the well-explained Truth of Things and who are desirous of (reaching) the Further Shore will pass over the Realm of Death, so difficult to transcend.

Forsaking dark ways, the spiritually mature person cultivates the bright. Coming from home to the homeless (life), he (abides) in solitude (which) is hard to enjoy.

Giving up delight in sensuous pleasures the spiritually mature person, the man-of-no-possessions, should purify himself from (all) mental defilements.

They whose minds have cultivated to perfection the Factors of Enlightenment and who, free from clinging, delight in the giving up of attachment, those bias-free radiant ones become Cool (nibbutā) even in this world (i.e., in this life).