Chapter 5: The Fool

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.

A traveler should prefer solitude to companionship with a fool, even seeking out equals or superiors when possible, as foolish company offers no benefit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fools of limited understanding are their own worst enemies because their evil deeds inevitably produce bitter consequences.

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.

Evil deeds initially seem harmless to the fool, like honey, but when their consequences ripen, the fool experiences grief as the bitter fruit matures.

Even a fool who practices extreme asceticism for months cannot equal the smallest fraction of one who has genuinely studied and weighed the law.

Evil deeds do not produce consequences suddenly; instead, like fire hidden under ashes, they slowly smolder and eventually catch up with the fool.

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.

The fool wishes for false reputation, precedence among monks, authority in monasteries, and worship among people—desires rooted in vanity.

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.

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.