[366]
One should not do much work;
one should avoid people, and should not strive.
One who is eager, greedy for flavors,
neglects the goal that is the bringer of happiness.
For they have declared it a bog,
this homage and veneration among families —
a subtle dart, hard to draw out;
honor is hard for a base man to give up.
Not on account of another
[should be] the evil deed (kamma) of a mortal;
one should not resort to it oneself,
for mortals have their deeds as their kin.
Not by another's word is one a thief;
not by another's word is one a sage (muni).
As one knows oneself,
so too do the devas know one.
Others do not understand
that we here must come to an end;
but those who do understand this —
through that, their quarrels are stilled.
The wise man lives on indeed,
even at the utter loss of his wealth;
but for want of wisdom (paññā),
even the man of wealth does not live.
One hears everything with the ear;
one sees everything with the eye;
but the wise man ought not to reject
everything that is seen and heard.
Though possessing eyes, let him be as though blind;
though possessing ears, as though deaf;
though possessing wisdom, as though mute;
though possessing strength, as though feeble;
then, when the matter has arisen,
let him lie as one dead lies.
[Note 1: The Burmese (Ma.) and European (Yu.) editions read *yamāmase*.]
The Elder Mahākaccāyana.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.