(19.1–17)
256. Someone is not a justice
Because he tries a case in haste:
The learned one, who looks into
What’s the case and not the case,
257. Who not hastily but justly,
Fairly, leads others –
Protected by the Dhamma, the wise one
Is called a justice.
258. Someone is not learned
Because he talks a lot:
One who’s patient, free from hatred and fear,
Is called learned.
259. Someone is not a Dhamma-bearer
Because he talks a lot:
If someone hears just a little
But experiences the Dhamma with his body,
He indeed is a Dhamma-bearer –
One who isn’t careless of the Dhamma.
260. Someone is not an Elder
Because his hair is grey.
He’s just had a long life.
He’s called ‘grown old in vain’.
261. If truth and Dhamma are in someone,
Non-violence, self-restraint and control,
Then, steadfast and free of defilements,
He indeed is called an Elder.
262. A man does not become fine
Merely through speaking fine words
Or through his attractive appearance
If he’s a jealous, grasping rogue.
263. But the one in whom this is cut off,
Pulled up, root and all –
That wise one, free from fault,
Is called fine indeed.
264. Someone doesn’t become a wanderer by shaving his head
If he’s undisciplined and tells lies.
How can he be a wanderer
If he’s full of desire and greed?
265. But if he lays evils to rest,
Small ones and great, completely,
Because he’s laid evils to rest
He’s called a wanderer.
266. Someone does not become a monk
Just because he begs alms from others;
If he takes on the household way of life,
He’s not a monk, for all that.
267. The one who, living the holy life,
Wards off both good and evil,
And moves in the world with consideration,
Is called a monk indeed.
268. Not by silence does someone become a sage
If he’s foolish and ignorant.
A wise one who, as though holding scales,
Takes up the better choice
269. And avoids evil – he’s a sage:
He’s a sage because of that.
If he understands both in the world,
He’s called a sage because of that.
270. Someone does not become noble
By harming living things.
Through not harming any living things
He is called noble.
271. Not through precepts and observances alone,
Nor yet by much learning,
Or attainment of concentration,
Or dwelling in seclusion,
272. Do I reach the happiness of freedom from desire
Not experienced by worldly folk;
Nor has a monk attained confidence
If he has not achieved the destruction of the defilements.