Chapter 6: The Wise Man
Wise people fashion themselves through discipline, remain unmoved by praise or blame.
13 argumentative units
- 01Imperative to seek counsel from the wise
The author commands the reader to recognize and follow wise men who identify true treasures, reveal what should be avoided, and offer correction, asserting this will benefit rather than harm the follower.
- 02The social consequences of wise admonishment
The wise man's correction will be cherished by the virtuous but despised by the wicked, establishing that wisdom divides opinion based on moral character.
- 03Principle of virtuous association
The reader is instructed to cultivate friendships with virtuous and excellent people while rejecting association with the wicked and lowly.
- 04The law as source of happiness and wisdom
Those who internalize the law live happily with calm minds, and the sage rejoices in the law as taught by enlightened ones.
- 05Analogy of self-fashioning through discipline
Drawing on analogies of water-channelers, arrow-makers, and carpenters who shape matter, the author asserts that wise people similarly fashion themselves through disciplined effort.
- 06Wise constancy in the face of praise and blame
Like a solid rock unmoved by wind, the wise person remains unshaken by blame and praise, demonstrating inner stability.
- 07Reception of law produces serene stillness
After hearing the law, wise people attain serenity comparable to a deep, smooth, and tranquil lake.
- 08Equanimity across all conditions of fortune
Good people remain steady regardless of circumstances, do not chase pleasures, and maintain emotional equilibrium whether experiencing happiness or sorrow.
- 09Definition of goodness and wisdom through renunciation
The truly good and wise person renounces desire for sons, wealth, power, and unfair success, seeking instead no gain for either himself or others.
- 10The rarity of spiritual achievement
The author observes that few people attain spiritual liberation (becoming Arhats), while most people merely repeat cycles of worldly striving.
- 11Adherence to law as path to transcendence
Those who hear and follow the law will transcend death and its dominion, overcoming this ultimate obstacle through disciplined adherence.
- 12Renunciation of domestic life as spiritual necessity
The wise person must leave ordinary life (the 'dark state') and enter the monastic life (the 'bright state'), abandoning home and family for solitary contemplation.
- 13The liberated mind grounded in wisdom
Those whose minds are firmly grounded in the elements of knowledge, who remain unattached, rejoice in freedom, have conquered appetite, and are luminous are liberated even in this world.