Dhammapada 207

One who goes about in the company of fools sorrows for a long time

One who goes about in the company of fools sorrows for a long time. Living with fools is always suffering, as with an enemy. Living with the wise is happiness, like meeting with relatives.

Translated from the Pāli by Banya

In plain words

Living with foolish conduct is compared to living with an enemy and is said to bring lasting sorrow. The company of the wise is instead pictured as a welcome meeting with family.

Key words

saṁvāsa

living together, shared company — The focus is sustained company, not a single encounter.

The story behind the verse

Sakka ministers to the Buddha

In the commentary, the Buddha was ill with dysentery near the end of his life. Sakka learned of the illness and came to attend him, and he took on the duties of caring for the Buddha. The Buddha urged him to go, but Sakka continued his service, and the monks wondered why a god would perform such lowly tasks. The Buddha explained that he had previously helped Sakka when Sakka feared death, and he used the occasion to praise the company of the noble and the value of living with the wise.

Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).

Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.