316 If you would learn the teaching from someone,
honor them as the gods honor Indra.
Then they will have confidence in you,
and being learned, they reveal the teaching.

317 Heeding well, a wise pupil
practicing in line with that teaching
grows intelligent, discerning, and subtle
through diligently sticking close to such a person.

318 But associating with a petty fool
who falls short of the goal, jealous,
then unable to discern the teaching in this life,
one proceeds to death still plagued by doubts.

319 It’s like a man who has plunged into a river,
a rushing torrent in spate.
As they are swept away downstream,
how could they help others across?

320 Just so, one unable to discern the teaching,
who hasn’t studied the meaning under the learned,
not knowing it oneself, still plagued by doubts,
how could they help others to contemplate?

321 But one who has embarked on a strong boat
equipped with rudder and oar,
would bring many others across there
with skill, care, and intelligence.

322 So too one who understands—a knowledge master,
evolved, learned, and unflappable—
can help others to contemplate,
so long as they are prepared to listen carefully.

323 That’s why you should spend time with a good person,
intelligent and learned.
Having understood the meaning, putting it into practice,
one who understands the teaching would find happiness.

316Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā,
Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya;
So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto,
Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.

317 Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro,
Dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno;
Viññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti,
Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.

318 Khuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno,
Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca;
Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,
Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.

319 Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā,
Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ;
So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī,
Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.

320 Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,
Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ;
Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho,
Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.

321 Yathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā,
Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto;
So tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe,
Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā.

322 Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto,
Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo;
So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ,
Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.

323 Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha,
Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca;
Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno,
Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti.