[372] 3.
He who sees in advance what has not yet come—
the beneficial matter and the harmful, both of these—
his foes, or else his well-wishers, watching closely,
find no flaw in him.
He in whom mindfulness of breathing (ānāpānasati)
is perfected, well developed,
consolidated step by step as taught by the Buddha—
he illumines this world
like the moon released from a cloud.
Bright indeed is my mind (citta),
measureless, well developed,
constantly upheld and exerted:
it shines upon all the quarters.
The man of wisdom lives on even when his wealth is exhausted;
but failing to gain wisdom (paññā),
even the man of wealth does not live.
Wisdom is the appraiser of what is heard;
wisdom is the increaser of fame and renown;
a man endowed with wisdom
finds happiness here even amid sufferings (dukkha).
This is no law (dhamma) of today only;
it is no marvel, nor yet a wonder:
where one is born and dies—
what wonder is there in that?
For one who is born, straight upon life death is certain;
all who are born die here—
for such is the nature of living beings.
What serves the purpose of life for other men
is of no avail to one who is dead;
weeping over the dead brings neither fame nor comfort,
nor is it praised by ascetics and brahmins.
Weeping wounds the eye and the body;
beauty, strength, and understanding waste away;
his foes become joyful,
and his well-wishers are not happy.
Therefore one should wish to have dwelling in one's family
those who are intelligent and greatly learned;
for it is by the power of their wisdom that people accomplish their task,
as one crosses a river in flood by boat.
The Elder Mahākappina.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.