60
Long is the night for one who is staying awake,
long is a league for one who is tired;
Long is the transmigration for the immature,
those who do not understand the true Dhamma.
61
If, while wandering, one does not find,
a companion who is better or equal;
One should steadfastly pursue a solitary life,
there is no fellowship with the immature.
62
"These are my children, this is my wealth,"
with such thoughts the immature person is afflicted;
One's self is not even one's own,
how then, can there be sons? How then, can there be wealth?
63
The immature person who knows his immaturity,
is wise at least to that extent;
The immature person who thinks themselves to be wise,
is indeed said to be "immature".
64
Even if an immature person, for a whole lifetime,
associates closely with a wise person;
They do not understand the Dhamma,
just as a spoon does not know the taste of soup.
Picture: "Mom, I cleaned my room!" by Richard Sargent, 1955
Related Teachings:
The defining characteristic of living beings (SN 23.2) - Rādha asks the Buddha about a the term "being", and the Buddha explains in terms of craving for the five aggregates. He compares such craving to a child playing with sandcastles.
Who to not associate with (AN 3.27) - The Buddha shares guideline on choosing one's associations and company. For it is through associations that one can decline, avoid decline or grow in qualities.
Beings come together and associate based on dispositions (SN 14.15) - In this teaching, the Buddha is sharing how beings come together and associate based on shared qualities and traits.
