z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 05.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 364
364 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
is his better, or his equal, let him firmly keep to his solitary journey ; there is no companionship with a fool.
IV
“These sons belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me,” with such thoughts a fool is tormented. He himself does not belong to himself ; how much less sons and wealth ?
The fool who knows his foolishness, is wise at least so far. But a fool who thinks himself wise, he is called a fool indeed.
If a fool be associated with a wise man even all his life, he will perceive the truth as little as a spoon perceives the taste of soup.
If an intelligent man be associated for one minute only with a wise man, he will soon perceive the truth, as the tongue perceives the taste of soup.
Fools of poor understanding have themselves for their greatest enemies, for they do evil deeds which bear bitter fruits.
That deed is not well done of which a man must repent and the reward of which he receives crying and with a tearful face.
Know, that deed is well done of which a man does not repent and the reward of which he receives gladly and cheerfully.
As long as the evil deed done does not bear fruit, the fool thinks it is like honey, but when it ripens, then the fool suffers grief.
And when the evil deed, after it has become known, turns to sorrow for the fool, then it destroys his bright lot, nay, it cleaves his head.
Let the fool wish for a false reputation, for precedence among the Bhikkus, for lordships in the convents, for worship among other people.
A man is not an elder because his head is grey ; his age may be ripe, but he is called “old-and-vain.”
He in whom there is truth, virtue, pity, restraint, moderation, he who is free from impurity and is wise, he is called an elder.
An envious, stingy, dishonest man does not