Happy indeed we live, friendly amidst the hostile. Amidst hostile men we dwell free from hatred.
Let's live happily, refusing to hate those who hate us. Among people consumed by hatred, let us dwell with hearts free of it.
198
Happy indeed we live, friendly amidst the afflicted (by craving). Amidst afflicted men we dwell free from affliction.
Let's live happily, staying well in spirit among those who are unwell with craving and fever. Among the feverish, let us dwell cool and free.
199
Happy indeed we live, free from avarice amidst the avaricious. Amidst the avaricious men we dwell free from avarice.
Let's live happily, holding nothing back among those who grasp and hoard. Among the greedy, let us dwell free of greed.
200
Happy indeed we live, we who possess nothing. Feeders on joy we shall be, like the Radiant Gods.
Let's live happily, even though we own nothing at all. We'll feed on joy itself, like the radiant gods.
201
Victory begets enmity; the defeated dwell in pain. Happily the peaceful live, discarding both victory and defeat.
Victory breeds enmity, and the one who is defeated lies down in pain. Discarding both victory and defeat, the peaceful live happily.
202
There is no fire like lust and no crime like hatred. There is no ill like the aggregates (of existence) and no bliss higher than the peace (of Nibbana). [17]
There is no fire like craving and no grip like hatred; there is no burden like this body and mind, and no happiness higher than peace.
203
Hunger is the worst disease, conditioned things the worst suffering. Knowing this as it really is, the wise realize Nibbana, the highest bliss.
Hunger is the worst of illnesses, and conditioned things the worst suffering. Seeing this as it truly is, the wise reach peace, the highest happiness.
204
Health is the most precious gain and contentment the greatest wealth. A trustworthy person is the best kinsman, Nibbana the highest bliss.
Health is the most precious gain and contentment the greatest wealth; a trustworthy person is the best kin, and peace the highest happiness.
205
Having savored the taste of solitude and peace (of Nibbana), pain-free and stainless he becomes, drinking deep the taste of the bliss of the Truth.
Having savored the taste of solitude and peace, one becomes free of distress and free of fault, drinking deeply of the joy of the truth.
206
Good is it to see the Noble Ones; to live with them is ever blissful. One will always be happy by not encountering fools.
It is good to see the noble and the wise, and to live among them is always a joy. By staying clear of fools, one finds lasting happiness.
207
Indeed, he who moves in the company of fools grieves for longing. Association with fools is ever painful, like partnership with an enemy. But association with the wise is happy, like meeting one’s own kinsmen.
Whoever keeps company with fools grieves for a long time. Living with fools is painful, like sharing your life with an enemy; but the company of the wise is a joy, like being among your own kin.
208
Therefore, follow the Noble One, who is steadfast, wise, learned, dutiful and devout. One should follow only such a man, who is truly good and discerning, even as the moon follows the path of the stars.
So follow the one who is noble, steadfast, wise, learned, dutiful and devout, a person who is truly good and discerning, just as the moon follows the path of the stars.