WISE FRIENDSHIP · DHAMMAPADA 78

Listening to Honest Counsel

Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men.

Dhammapada 78 · Chapter 6, The Wise Man (Pandita) · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends.” In its chapter, this image points toward the influence of teachers and companions. It also makes practice relational: the people you listen to can strengthen or weaken your best intentions. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.

Practice prompt

What kind of friend are you practicing being?