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...in the company of fools

DavyDavy
edited November 2010 in Buddhism Basics
i read here, something about 'don't stay in the company of fools'

Who said that? I googled it, to no avail.

Seems like good advice. Lots of fools in the world. Sometimes hard to stay away. But, so it is better to be alone, than to be around fools?

Comments

  • TheDoctorDonnaTheDoctorDonna
    edited November 2010
    One of the most basic of all Buddhist tenets is to Aviod corupting conpanions and one of the 16 unfaverible conditions is to be under the influence of these type of people. . Basiclly those people are those who would attempt to keep you from practicing the Dharma Teachings.

    This might be what you are looking for.
  • PietroPumokinPietroPumokin
    edited November 2010
    yea but fools need positive influences too so spending time alone IS GOOD BUT SO IS SPENDING TIME ALONE THEN GOING BACK AMONGST THE FOOLS AGAIN TO HELP THEM OUT BE A CLEAR LIGHT WHERE CLEAR LIGHT DOTH DARE SHINE NOT
  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited November 2010
    DavyCrockett wrote: »
    i read here, something about 'don't stay in the company of fools'

    Who said that? I googled it, to no avail.

    Seems like good advice. Lots of fools in the world. Sometimes hard to stay away. But, so it is better to be alone, than to be around fools?

    This idea can be found throughout the Pali Canon. For example, there's this verse from the Dhammapada:
    If a person seeking a companion cannot find one who is better than or equal to him, let him resolutely go on alone; there can be no companionship with a fool.

    Or this one from Snp 2.4:
    Not consorting with fools, consorting with the wise, paying homage to those worthy of homage: This is the highest protection.
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited November 2010
    And what if you don't know whether you're the fool or your friends are? :)
  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited November 2010
    Cloud wrote: »
    And what if you don't know whether you're the fool or your friends are? :)

    Well, if one wants to know the difference between a fool and a wise person, there's always AN 2.21:
    Monks, these two are fools. Which two? The one who doesn't see his transgression as a transgression, and the one who doesn't rightfully pardon another who has confessed his transgression. These two are fools.

    These two are wise people. Which two? The one who sees his transgression as a transgression, and the one who rightfully pardons another who has confessed his transgression. These two are wise people.

    As well as this verse from AN 2.92:
    Monks, these two are fools. Which two? The one who takes up a burden that hasn't fallen to him, and the one who doesn't take up a burden that has. These two are fools.
  • DavyDavy
    edited November 2010
    Thanks all. i'm reading a few good books, but never heard of this Pali Canon. . . i must get a copy.
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited November 2010
    DavyCrockett wrote: »
    Thanks all. i'm reading a few good books, but never heard of this Pali Canon. . . i must get a copy.
    The Pali Canon is actually about 11 times the size of the Holy Bible, so not something most people own. Most of the sutras have been translated into English and are available for free online at http://www.accesstoinsight.org.

    The good thing is you can download an offline version of that website so you have the PC/Tipitaka texts on your computer without needing a 'net connection any time you want to study them.
  • DavyDavy
    edited November 2010
    Wow, 11x the bible! i found one on amazon with about 470 pages. Thanks for the link
    Cloud. Nameste'
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Estimated, of course. I've heard other values, like 13, but 11 comes up most often. You're very welcome.
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