English
Indeed, young householder, in four ways And in these ways, the insincere speaker, an enemy in the guise of a friend, should be known: He approves of his evil deeds, he approves of his good deeds, to his face he speaks praise, behind his back he speaks dispraise. In these four ways, young householder, the insincere speaker, an enemy in the guise of a friend, should be known. 258. In these four ways, young householder, the companion in ruin, an enemy in the guise of a friend, should be known: He is a companion in addiction to intoxicating drinks, he is a companion in wandering about at unseasonable times in streets, he is a companion in frequenting shows, he is a companion in addiction to gambling. In these four ways, young householder, the companion in ruin, an enemy in the guise of a friend, should be known. 259. This the Blessed One said, having said this, the Fortunate One, then further said this, the Teacher: A friend who takes what is yours, and the friend who is only words; and who speaks insincerely, and who is a companion in ruin: These four enemies, having thus understood, the wise one should carefully avoid, like a dangerous path. True Friends 260. These four, young householder, are true friends to be known: The helpful friend should be known as a true friend, the friend who shares joy and sorrow should be known as a true friend, the friend who points out what is beneficial should be known as a true friend, the compassionate friend should be known as a true friend. 261. In these four ways, young householder, the helpful friend should be known as a true friend: He protects the heedless one, he protects the property of the heedless one, he is a refuge to the fearful one, in arising duties and needs, he provides double the wealth. In these four ways, young householder, the helpful friend should be known as a true friend. 262. In these four ways, young householder, the friend who shares joy and sorrow should be known as a true friend: He reveals his own secret, he guards his (friend's) secret, in times of misfortune, he does not abandon, even his life is sacrificed for his sake. Come now, householder's son, a friend who shares joy and sorrow is to be known by these four things. 263. Indeed, householder's son, a friend who points out what is beneficial is to be known by these four things. He restrains from evil, he encourages to good, he makes known what was unheard, he points out the path to heaven. Indeed, householder's son, a friend who points out what is beneficial is to be known by these four things. 264. Indeed, householder's son, a compassionate friend is to be known by these four things. He does not rejoice in one's misfortune, he rejoices in one's prosperity, he restrains one who speaks ill, he praises one who speaks well. Indeed, householder's son, a compassionate friend is to be known by these four things. 265. This the Blessed One said, having said this, the Sugata, the Teacher, further said this: "The helpful friend, and the friend in joy and sorrow; The friend who points out what is beneficial, and the compassionate friend. "These four friends, having understood thus, the wise one; Should attend to them respectfully, like a mother to her own son; The wise one, endowed with virtue, shines like a blazing fire. "For one who gathers wealth, like a bee moving about; Riches accumulate, like an anthill growing. "Thus having gathered wealth, a householder in his family, sufficient; Should divide his wealth into four parts, he truly binds friends. "With one part he should enjoy wealth, with two he should employ in business; And the fourth he should lay aside, it will be for times of adversity." The Section on Covering the Six Directions 266. "And how, householder's son, does a noble disciple cover the six directions? These six directions, householder's son, are to be known. The eastern direction is to be known as parents, the southern direction is to be known as teachers, the western direction is to be known as wife and children, the northern direction is to be known as friends and associates, the lower direction is to be known as servants and workers, the upper direction is to be known as ascetics and brahmins. bbā. 267. "In five ways, householder's son, the eastern direction, parents, should be attended to by a son: 'Having been supported by them, I will support them; I will perform their duties; I will maintain the family lineage; I will be worthy of the inheritance; and further, I will offer alms to the departed, to those who have passed away.' In these five ways, householder's son, the eastern direction, parents, attended to by a son, show compassion to the son in five ways: They restrain him from evil, they encourage him in good, they train him in a craft, they unite him with a suitable spouse, they hand over the inheritance at the proper time. In these five ways, householder's son, the eastern direction, parents, attended to by a son, show compassion to the son in these five ways. Thus, for him, this eastern direction is covered, safe, and free from fear. 268. "In five ways, householder's son, the southern direction, teachers, should be attended to by a student: by rising up, by attending, by listening, by personal service, by diligently receiving instruction. In these five ways, householder's son, the southern direction, teachers, attended to by a student, show compassion to the student in five ways: They train him well in what is to be trained, they make him grasp well what is to be grasped, they become declarers of all knowledge of crafts, they prepare him among friends and associates, they provide protection in all directions. In these five ways, householder's son, the southern direction, teachers, attended to by a student, show compassion to the student in these five ways. Thus, for him, this southern direction is covered, safe, and free from fear. 269. "In five ways, householder's son, the western direction, a wife, should be attended to by a husband: by honoring, by not disparaging, by not being unfaithful, by handing over authority by granting authority, by providing ornaments. By these five ways, householder's son, the western direction, the wife, attended to by the husband, shows compassion to the husband in five ways: she manages the household duties well, she treats the household staff well, she is faithful, she protects the accumulated wealth, she is skillful and diligent in all duties. By these five ways, householder's son, the western direction, the wife, attended to by the husband, shows compassion to the husband in these five ways. Thus, this western direction of his is covered, safe, and free from fear. 270. By five ways, householder's son, the northern direction, friends and associates, should be attended to by a gentleman: by giving, by kindly speech, by beneficial conduct, by treating them as oneself, by not deceiving them. By these five ways, householder's son, the northern direction, friends and associates, attended to by a gentleman, show compassion to the gentleman in five ways: they protect him when he is heedless, they protect his property when he is heedless, they are a refuge when he is afraid, they do not abandon him in misfortunes, they honor his descendants. By these five ways, householder's son, the northern direction, friends and associates, attended to by a gentleman, show compassion to the gentleman in these five ways. Thus, this northern direction of his is covered, safe, and free from fear. 271. By five ways, householder's son, the lower direction, servants and workers, should be attended to by their master: by assigning work according to their strength, by providing food and wages, by tending to them in sickness, by sharing special delicacies, by granting leave at the proper time. By these five ways, householder's son, the lower direction, servants and workers, attended to by their master, show compassion to their master in five ways: they rise before him, they lie down after him, d and those who give what is due, and those who do good deeds, and those who bear praise and renown. By these five ways, householder's son, the lower direction, the servants and workers, being served, by these five ways show compassion to their master. Thus for him this lower direction is covered, secure, and free from fear. 272. “By five ways, householder's son, the upper direction, the recluses and brahmins, should be served by a householder's son – with kindly bodily action, with kindly verbal action, with kindly mental action, by not closing the door, by providing material offerings. By these five ways, householder's son, the upper direction, the recluses and brahmins, being served, by six ways show compassion to the householder's son – they restrain from evil, they encourage to good, they show compassion with a kindly mind, they make known what was unheard, they clarify what was heard, they point out the way to heaven. By these five ways, householder's son, the upper direction, the recluses and brahmins, being served, by these six ways show compassion to the householder's son. Thus for him this upper direction is covered, secure, and free from fear.” 273. This the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, then further said this – “Mother and father are the eastern direction, teachers are the southern direction; Wife and children are the western direction, friends and associates are the northern. Servants and workers are below, recluses and brahmins are above; These directions one should revere, a householder in the family, capable. A wise one, endowed with virtue, gentle and discerning; Humble in conduct, not arrogant, such a one obtains renown. Diligent, not lazy, in adversity does not tremble; Uninterrupted in conduct, intelligent, such a one obtains renown. One who gathers, a maker of friends, generous, free from stinginess; A leader, a trainer, a conciliator, such a one obtains renown.