(15.1–12)
197. Ah, how happily we live,
Without hatred among those who hate!
Without hatred we dwell
Among people who hate.
199. Ah, how happily we live,
Carefree among the careworn!
Carefree we dwell
Among people who are careworn.
201. The victor breeds hatred;
The defeated sleeps in pain.
The calmed one sleeps happily,
Leaving behind victory and defeat.
202. There is no fire like passion,
No fault like quarrelling,
No pain like the aggregates,
No happiness greater than peace.
203. Hunger is the worst disease,
Conditioned things the greatest grief:
When you know this truly,
Nibbāna is the greatest happiness.
204. Health is the best possession,
Contentment the greatest wealth;
Trust is what makes the truest kin;
Nibbāna is the greatest happiness.
205. Savouring the taste of solitude
And the taste of calm
You become free of fear and free of evil,
Savouring the taste of joy in the Dhamma.
206. It’s good to see the Noble Ones,
Ever pleasant to live with them:
If you never see a fool
You’ll always be happy.
207. The one who keeps company with fools
Will be sorry for a long time.
It’s painful to live with fools,
Like being always with an enemy.
But a wise man is pleasant to live with,
Like meeting your kin.
So:
208. If someone is steadfast, intelligent and learned,
Patient under his burden, true to his word, noble,
Keep company with such a good, wise man
As the moon keeps to the zodiac path.