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 warns us to be careful in choosing companions, because the people we associate with influence the course of our lives. If we associate with those who like to do evil and are taken in by them or follow them, trouble may come upon ourselves and those around us.

ขยายความบทตั้งThe commentary on the Godha Jātaka tells that the son of the king of the iguanas made friends with a chameleon, and would not listen even though his father warned him against it. When he grew up, the young iguana still hugged the chameleon as they used to do in play, until the chameleon was hurt and thought of destroying the iguanas. So he led a hunter to the colony's dwelling, bringing about its ruin. The iguana king, however, had prepared an escape route in advance and so escaped the danger. This story warns that associating with others without care and without heeding warnings can bring danger upon many people.

ขยายความบทตั้ง"Complete happiness" here can be simply explained as happiness in full. One who associates with evil people may gain some fun or benefit, but if that fun leads one into wrongdoing, or that benefit is gained dishonestly, it becomes a cause of trouble later. One should therefore consider carefully which way the people one associates with are leading one: whether they encourage one to be honest, diligent and responsible, or to deceive, harm others and abandon one's duties.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑Whatever kind of person one makes a friend, such a person one becomes, because living together constantly passes on thoughts, habits, and conduct from one to another. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Vīsatinipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying concisely sums up the principle of association: people tend to become like those they associate with closely, because living together passes thoughts and habits from one to another.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑Living together brings about natural learning. We absorb the ways of thinking, speaking, values and behaviour of those close to us without intending to. Diligent friends lead us to be diligent; lazy friends lead us to be lazy. Friends who look on the bright side give us encouragement; friends who like to complain lead us to see things negatively too. Choosing companions is therefore the same as choosing what kind of person we will become in the future.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑This saying does not mean that people have no choice and must always change according to those around them. Those with mindfulness and firm principles can preserve their goodness even in a bad environment, and may even be an example that helps others change. But for ordinary people, especially those still at the age of learning, choosing good companions is the safest and most effective way.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๒When a person associates with the wicked, they are led toward decline and a bad destination, but when they associate with the good, they are led toward progress and a happy destination. Choosing one's companions is thus of the greatest importance in life. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Vīsatinipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒To explain: "The good" (sappurisa) means good people who conduct themselves rightly, while "the bad" means people who are not good and act against the Dhamma. This saying teaches an important principle in choosing companions, because the people we associate with influence the direction of our lives.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒Saying that the bad lead to hell means that bad people tend to invite us to do evil, such as gambling, drugs, stealing or harming others; if we follow them, we receive suffering and trouble as a result, both in this life and the next. The good, on the other hand, guide us in the right direction, encourage us to do good, set a good example and warn us when we go astray. Associating with the good therefore leads to a happy destination, that is, to prosperity and happiness.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒Choosing companions does not mean despising or hating those who behave badly. We can still have kindness and goodwill towards them, but we should not become so close that we are led astray, especially if our own minds are not yet firm enough. Moreover, deciding who is good should be based on conduct, not on wealth or outward appearance.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, someone who follows friends into starting fights may be injured and bring trouble upon his family. Someone who is taken in by dishonest people out of hope for gain may lose both wealth and trust. A student who copies work or bullies others to go along with friends loses the chance to train himself to be a good person. Therefore, however much we love our friends, we should not do wrong to please them; we should have the courage to warn one another and the courage to refuse when urged towards what is harmful.

สรุปTo conclude: Being wary of evil people does not mean looking down on or kicking those who have made mistakes when they are down; it means paying attention to conduct and not letting oneself be led into doing evil. We can have kindness towards them and help them in what is right, but we need not join them in wrongdoing. Those who seek peace and happiness should therefore choose to associate with those who support goodness, listen to warnings with an open mind and keep themselves steady on the path of honesty. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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