Single Idea 7895

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / d. Friendship]

Full Idea

If on the great journey of life a man cannot find one who is better or at least as good as himself, let him joyfully travel alone: a fool cannot help him on his journey.

Gist of Idea

Don't befriend fools; either find superior friends, or travel alone

Source

Anon (Dham) (The DhammaPada [c.250 BCE], §5.61)

Book Reference

'The DhammaPada', ed/tr. Mascaro,Juan [Penguin 1973], p.44


A Reaction

This is a slightly disturbing aspect of Buddhism, possibly leading to contradiction. It urges friendship and love, but the finest people will have virtually no friends, and solitude is presented as a finer state than friendship.