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 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งLiving 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งThis 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 ๑A wise person should choose to make friends with those who have faith, whose virtue is dear to them, who are wise and learned, because association with such good people brings prosperity. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Theragāthā:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying clearly states four qualities of friends worth associating with and shows that associating with such people brings prosperity.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The 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 ๑These 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.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๒When a person mixes with the wicked, even if they themselves do no evil, they get drawn into trouble and lumped together with them, so lasting happiness is impossible for them. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Ekanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒To 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 ๒The 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 ๒"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.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, a student who joins a group of friends who love reading comes to love reading too. Someone working in a team with a strong sense of responsibility learns responsibility from teammates. Someone who spends time online with groups that use coarse language and violence may gradually come to see such things as normal. The environment we choose has no small effect on us.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish to be good should therefore choose good people as friends and always check the direction in which those around them are leading them. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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