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256. Were one to settle a case capriciously,
One thereby does not become firm in dhamma.
But the one who would discriminate
Both what is and what is not the case – the sagacious one –
257. Who leads others impartially
With dhamma, not capriciously,
The intelligent one, guarded by dhamma,
Is called “one firm in dhamma”.
258. One is not a learned one
Merely because one speaks much.
The one secure, without enmity, without fear,
Is called a “learned one”.
259. One is not a dhamma-bearer
Merely because one speaks much,
But who, having heard even a little,
Sees dhamma for himself,
And dhamma does not neglect,
He, indeed, is a dhamma-bearer.
260. One does not become an Elder
Because one’s head is grey-haired;
Ripened his age,
“Grown old in vain” is he called.
261. In whom there is truth and dhamma,
Harmlessness, restraint, control,
Who has the stains ejected, and is wise,
He indeed is called “Elder”.
262. Not because of speech-making
Or by attractiveness of appearance
Does one, envious, avaricious, deceitful,
Become a commendable man.
263. But in whom this is extirpated,
Destroyed at its roots, abolished,
He, having ill will rejected, wise,
Is called “commendable”.
264. Not by a shaven head is one a recluse,
If one lacks due observance, speaks untruth.
How can one possessed of longing and greed
Become a recluse?
265. But he who calms away the wrongs,
Great and small, in every way;
For having [so] calmed away the wrongs,
“A recluse” he is called.
266. Not for his is one a bhikkhu,
Merely that one begs of others;
Having taken up a gross dhamma,
One is not thereby a bhikkhu.
267. Setting aside both merit and wrong
Who lives here the higher life,
Courses in the world discriminately,
He, indeed, is called “bhikkhu”.
268. One does not become a sage by silence,
If confused and ignorant.
But a wise one, as if holding a set of scales,
Takes up the best,
269. And shuns wrongs, he is a sage;
For that reason he is a sage.
Who knows both in this world,
Is, for that, called a sage.
270. By harmlessness toward living beings
Is one called a Noble One.
One who is harmless toward all living beings
Is called “noble one”.
271. Not by precepts and rites,
Nor again by much learning,
Nor by acquisition of concentration,
Nor by secluded lodging,
272. Thinking “I touched the east of renunciation
Not resorted to by ordinary people,”
O bhikkhu, get not into contentedness,
Not having attained extinction of intoxicants.