Sukhavagga - Happiness (verses 197-208)

Ah, happily do we live without yearning (for sensual pleasures) amongst those who yearn (for them); amidst those who yearn (for them) we dwell without yearning.

Ah, happily do we live, we who have no impediments. Feeders of joy shall we be even as the gods of the Radiant Realm.

Victory breeds hatred. The defeated live in pain. Happily the peaceful live, giving up victory and defeat.

There is no fire like lust, no crime like hate. There is no ill like the body, no bliss higher than Peace (Nibbana).

Hunger is the greatest disease. Aggregates are the greatest ill. Knowing this as it really is, (the wise realize) Nibbana, bliss supreme.

Good health is the highest gain. Contentment is the greatest wealth. Trustworthy ones are the best kinsmen. Nibbana is the highest Bliss.

Having tasted the flavour of seclusion and the flavour of appeasement, free from anguish and stain becomes he, imbibing the taste of the joy of the Dhamma.

Happy is one, who beholds the holy ones. To live with the holy ones is ever pleasant. It would be pleasant if one never comes across a fool.

Truly, he who moves in company with fools grieves for a long time. Association with the foolish is ever painful as with a foe. Happy is association with the wise, even like meeting with kinsfolk.

Therefore:- With the intelligent, the wise, the learned, the enduring, the dutiful and the Ariya - with a man of such virtue and intellect should one associate, as the moon (follows) the starry path.