[322] 16.
Having shunned evil friends (pāpamitta), one should associate with the highest of persons,¹
and one should stand firm in his instruction, aspiring to unshakable happiness.
Just as one who has climbed upon a small piece of wood would sink in the great ocean,
so too, even one who lives well sinks by relying on an indolent man.
Therefore one should shun him — the indolent one, deficient in energy (vīriya).
One should dwell together with the wise —
with the noble ones, secluded, resolute, meditators (jhāyī),
ever of aroused energy.
The Elder Vimala.
Summary (uddāna):
Aṅgaṇika Bhāradvāja, Paccaya, the sage Bākula,
Dhaniya and Mātaṅgaputta, Sobhita, the sage Vāraṇa,
Passika and Yasoja, Sāṭimattiya and Upāli,
Uttarapāla, Abhibhūta, Gotama, and Hārita too,
and, in the Book of Threes, the Elder Vimala, made stainless in Nibbāna:
forty-eight verses; sixteen elders have been proclaimed.
The Book of Threes (Tikanipāta) is finished.
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Theragāthā: The Book of Fours (Catukkanipāta)
¹ Po., Ma. read: bhajeyyuttamapuggalaṃ.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.