Page:Niti literature (Gray J, 1886).pdf/178

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The Suttavaddhananîti.
149

the variegated rubies (i.e., the spotted ruby and the red ruby).

32.

The learned declare that as the moon is more excellent than all the heavenly bodies, even so is wisdom (than all other acquirements); virtuous practice, glory, and goodness follow[1] in the wake of those who are wise.

33.

Even if, during his whole lifetime, a foolish man attends upon one who is learned, he knows not his duty, just as a (wooden) spoon perceives not the flavour of the curry gravy.

34.

But if a wise man attend upon a wise man only for a moment, he soon knows his duty, as the tongue the flavour of the curry gravy.

35.

Eight things have been declared by Buddha, the relative of the sun, to be inconsistent with the hearing of the True Law, namely, a foreign country, existence in the formless state,[2] existence in the unconscious state, defective members (of the body), false doctrine, being a brute, being a spirit, and existence in hell.

36–37.

General knowledge, the knowledge of the Dhammathats, arithmetic, architecture, knowledge of the Nîti, knowledge of the Vyâkaraṇa, music and poetry, calculation by the fingers, the use of bows and arrows, the Purâṇas, medical


  1. Just like the stars accompany the moon.
  2. That is, in the Arûpaloka, one of the Buddhistic subdivisions of the world of sentient beings.