อารัมภบทI shall now explain and expand upon the meaning of the Dhamma theme written above, as a guide for study and practice.

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: This saying uses a vivid simile to teach that associating with good and wise people lets us absorb their goodness without even realising it.

ขยายความบทตั้งTagara is a fragrant wood whose scent lasts a long time. Ordinary leaves used to wrap it have no fragrance of their own, but after being close to the tagara for a long time they take on its fragrance. Associating with the wise is the same: the knowledge, thinking and good conduct of the wise gradually seep into those who are close to them, so that those people also come to think and act better.

ขยายความบทตั้งThis saying is the counterpart of the one comparing association with fools to wrapping rotten fish in kusa grass. Both show the same truth: people are always influenced by those around them. It is worth noting that the leaves must be in close contact with the tagara to become fragrant. Associating with the wise likewise requires coming close, listening and seriously opening one's mind to learn, in order to gain the full benefit.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑Associating with fools drags us down with them, just as the kusa grass used to wrap rotten fish ends up stinking too. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Mahānipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying is the counterpart of the one comparing association with the wise to wrapping fragrant tagara wood, showing the opposite side: associating with fools causes us to decline along with them.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑Kusa grass is ordinary grass with no bad smell of its own, but when used to wrap rotten fish, the stench clings to the grass and is hard to wash out. Associating with fools is the same: even if we ourselves are not bad people, when we are close to fools, bad thoughts and habits may seep in little by little, and others may also think badly of us, because people often judge others by the company they keep.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑This simile shows an influence that develops gradually without our noticing. Those who associate with fools often think they will not change, but as time passes they may find that they have started using coarse language, neglecting their duties or accepting wrongdoing as normal, like the grass that does not know when the stench clung to it. Being aware of this influence is therefore an important protection.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๒When a person has friends endowed with faith, virtue, wisdom, and great learning, they gain good examples and sound advice, and their life advances and prospers in a good direction. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Theragāthā:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒To explain: This saying clearly states four qualities of friends worth associating with and shows that associating with such people brings prosperity.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒The first quality is faith: believing in what is right, in doing good and in the results of good. The second is lovable virtue: behaving well in body and speech so as to be loved by others. The third is wisdom: knowing how to reflect on reasons and distinguish right from wrong. The fourth is being learned (bahussuta): having studied much and having broad knowledge. Those with these qualities are good friends (kalyāṇamitta) who help us develop in mind, conduct and knowledge.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒These four qualities support one another. Faith without wisdom to guide it may become blind belief; wisdom without virtue may be used wrongly; great knowledge without faith in goodness may not lead to practice. Those who have all four are therefore rare friends worth keeping. Besides choosing such friends, we should also develop these qualities in ourselves, so as to be good friends to others.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, a student who likes to consult teachers of knowledge and virtue gains both knowledge and an example of how to live. Someone who works under a capable and honest supervisor learns good ways of working. Someone who goes to the temple to hear the Dhamma from virtuous monks gains principles for living. These good things gradually stay with us without being forced.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish to develop themselves should therefore seek out and draw close to people of wisdom and virtue and open their minds to learn from them, so that goodness may seep into their own lives. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

ปิดท้ายThus has the meaning been explained, as set forth above.