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

อธิบายบทตั้งTo 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งSaying 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งChoosing 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.

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 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 teenager who associates with friends who like to hang out doing wrong may be persuaded to try drugs, ruining his life. But one who associates with friends who study diligently and have goals receives inspiration and encouragement to develop himself. A businessman who chooses honest partners can run his business securely, while one who cooperates with the corrupt often suffers along with them.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish for prosperity should therefore choose their companions carefully, associate with those who behave well, and keep their distance from those who lead towards decline. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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