VedaLink

Ancient wisdom, verse by verse.

Dhammapada — Chapter 5: Balavagga

16 verses

Verse 1

Long is the night for the sleepless; long is the journey for the weary; long is the cycle of rebirth for the foolish who do not know the true Dhamma.

Verse 2

If, while wandering, one does not find a companion who is better or equal, one should firmly walk alone. There is no companionship with a fool.

Verse 3

'I have sons, I have wealth' — thus the fool is tormented. When even one's self does not belong to oneself, how much less sons and wealth?

Verse 4

A fool who knows his foolishness is wise at least to that extent. But a fool who considers himself wise is truly called a fool.

Verse 5

Even though a fool may associate with a wise person all his life, he does not understand the Dhamma, just as a spoon does not know the taste of the s…