207. The company of fools Ne'er fails to bring distress. To live with fools brings suffering, As living with an enemy, But wise men's company brings bliss, As being with dear relatives. 208. If one be good and wise, Well-versed in lore profound, Long-suffering, dutiful, a saint, Righteous and wise; if such there be, Follow his footsteps, as the moon Follows the path of the stars. [1] This chapter applies especially to those who have retired from the world. [3] Ill-luck, _kali_, the unlucky throw in playing dice. [4] _Nibbāna._ CHAPTER SIXTEEN. AFFECTIONS. 209. He who applies his mind unworthily, Neglecting discipline, Forsakes the goal and clings to things beloved, Then envies those to meditation given. 210. Join not thyself to things beloved or loathed. To lack dear company, To be with those we loathe, brings misery. 211. Seek not for love; things loved when lost bring woe; Both are impermanent. They have no bonds who dwell indifferent. 212. Sorrow and fear are born of things beloved. From things beloved set free, How canst thou sorrow? fearful how canst be? 213. From things held dear, sorrow and fear are born. Set free from things held dear, How canst thou sorrow have? how canst have fear? 214. Sorrow and fear are children born of pleasure. No longer pleasure's slave, How canst thou sorrow, fear how canst thou have? 215. Sorrow and fear are children of desire. From all desire set free, How canst thou sorrow? fearful how canst be? 216. Sorrow and fear are things of longing born. From longing if thou part, Thou hast no fear nor sorrow in thine heart. 217. Upright and Norm-abiding, speaking truth, Who minds his own affair,[1] That is the man whom every one holds dear. 218. In whom is longing for the Nameless[2] born, Whose mind It hath enthralled, Whose thoughts no longer are by passion torn, That man "a Climber of the Stream" is called.[3] 219. As when a dweller in some far-off land Safe home returns at last, Kin, friends and lovers waiting to greet him stand; 220. So, when a man on earth good deeds hath done, When he hath passed beyond, All his good deeds like kin, await that one. [1] _Attano kamma kubbānam_, as in v. 166. Attends to his own spiritual progress without dictating to others how they should forward their evolution. [2] "The unborn, uncreate, undeclared" state of _Nibbāna_. [3] _Uddhamsoto._ (Skt. _Urdhamsrotas_) a name for the _anāgāmin_ "non-returner." CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. ANGER. 221. Conquer anger, banish pride; Every fetter cast aside;[1] Clinging not to Name and Form,[2] Him who calleth nought his own Sorrow never shall betide. 222. He who rising wrath restrains, As one checks a whirling team, Him a driver true I deem; Others only hold the reins.