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 sets out the complete process of choosing companions, from avoiding bad friends and approaching good people to putting the good people's advice into practice.

ขยายความบทตั้งThis saying has three successive steps. First, avoid bad friends, that is, keep away from those who lead towards decline. Second, associate with the highest persons, that is, approach those who have virtue and wisdom and are good examples. Third, abide by their counsel, that is, listen to their advice and actually put it into practice. This third step is very important, because being close to good people without following their advice does not bring the full benefit.

ขยายความบทตั้ง"Unshakable happiness" means happiness that does not waver or rise and fall with external things. In the higher Dhamma it means the happiness of liberation; in daily life it means the happiness that comes from living rightly, without trouble following afterwards. Such happiness arises more easily when one has good friends (kalyāṇamitta) to guide one.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑One who keeps company with the wicked cannot find true happiness and brings harm and loss upon themselves, like a chameleon that enters a company of monitor lizards and shares in their danger. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Ekanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To 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.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The 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.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑"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 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 once caught up in vices who decides to stop associating with his old group, turns to consult experienced people and follows their advice, has the chance to build a new life. A student who chooses a good adviser and sincerely follows the advice develops quickly. Someone starting a business who has an honest adviser and listens seriously to his advice can avoid many mistakes.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who long for unshakable happiness should therefore choose companions on principle: avoid bad friends, associate with good people and seriously put the teachings of good people into practice. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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