Chapter 5: The Fool
Fools lack wisdom and suffer consequences; evil deeds bear bitter fruit in time.
15 argumentative units
- 01Fool's distorted perception of time and duration
The fool experiences time, distance, and life as unbearably long because he lacks wisdom and knowledge of the true law, contrasting with how these things appear to others.
- 02Advice to avoid companionship with fools
A traveler should prefer solitude to companionship with a fool, even seeking out equals or superiors when possible, as foolish company offers no benefit.
- 03Fool's delusion about ownership and control
The fool is tormented by false attachment to sons and wealth, failing to recognize that even his own self is not truly his to possess.
- 04Distinction between self-aware and deluded fools
A fool who recognizes his own foolishness possesses a degree of wisdom, whereas a fool who falsely believes himself wise is the worst kind of fool.
- 05Fool's inability to absorb wisdom from association
A fool cannot perceive truth even after a lifetime spent with a wise person, just as a spoon cannot taste the soup it merely touches.
- 06Intelligent man's quick reception of truth
By contrast, an intelligent person will quickly perceive truth through even brief association with a wise person, as the tongue immediately tastes what it contacts.
- 07Fool as his own greatest enemy
Fools of limited understanding are their own worst enemies because their evil deeds inevitably produce bitter consequences.
- 08Criterion for well-done deeds: absence of repentance
A deed is not well done if the person later repents of it with sorrow and tears; conversely, a deed is well done if performed without regret and received with gladness.
- 09Evil deeds' delayed but inevitable consequences
Evil deeds initially seem harmless to the fool, like honey, but when their consequences ripen, the fool experiences grief as the bitter fruit matures.
- 10Ascetic discipline cannot substitute for wisdom
Even a fool who practices extreme asceticism for months cannot equal the smallest fraction of one who has genuinely studied and weighed the law.
- 11Evil deeds ripen slowly like smoldering fire
Evil deeds do not produce consequences suddenly; instead, like fire hidden under ashes, they slowly smolder and eventually catch up with the fool.
- 12Recognition of evil deeds destroys the fool's fortune
When evil deeds become publicly known, they bring sorrow and destroy the fool's reputation and well-being, even cleaving his head as though through violence.
- 13Fool's desire for false reputation and status
The fool wishes for false reputation, precedence among monks, authority in monasteries, and worship among people—desires rooted in vanity.
- 14Fool's pride and desire for control
The fool's mind is consumed with the desire that both lay people and monks should think his deeds significant and obey him in all matters, feeding his pride and ambition.
- 15The divergent paths of worldly wealth and Nirvana
There are two distinct roads: one leading to worldly wealth and another to Nirvana; recognizing this distinction, a true Buddhist disciple will seek liberation rather than honor.