..續本文上一頁of transcendent wisdom and liberation — then we must enter into association with those who represent the highest. Even if we are not so fortunate as to find companions who have already scaled the heights, we can well count ourselves blessed if we cross paths with a few spiritual friends who share our ideals and who make earnest efforts to nurture the noble qualities of the Dhamma in their hearts. 我們若與那些嗜好感官之樂、權力、財富與名聲者過從密切，則不應想象自己有可能對那些瘾習保持免疫: 我們的心終究將逐漸地傾向同樣的目標。我們若與那些雖未放縱于道德之不端，然已舒適地納入世俗慣習者頻繁交往，也將繼續淪陷于庸碌人生之舊轍。我們若向往至高理想，欲達出世的智慧與解脫的高峰，則必須親近那些體現著至高理想的人士。即使我們尚未有幸尋得已達此等高度的同伴，若能夠遇上幾位志同道合、精進努力、在內心培育佛法尊貴品質的靈性賢友，我們也堪稱有福了。
When we raise the question how to recognize good friends, how to distinguish good advisors from bad advisors, the Buddha offers us crystal-clear advice. In the Shorter Discourse on a Full-Moon Night (MN 110) he explains the difference between the companionship of the bad person and the companionship of the good person. The bad person chooses as friends and companions those who are without faith, whose conduct is marked by an absence of shame and moral dread, who have no knowledge of spiritual teachings, who are lazy and unmindful, and who are devoid of wisdom. As a consequence of choosing such bad friends as his advisors, the bad person plans and acts for his own harm, for the harm of others, and the harm of both, and he meets with sorrow and misery. 面對如何識別善友、區分善惡導師的問題，佛陀給予我們的忠告清晰明了。在《滿月小經》(MN 110)中，他解釋了非善士與善士兩者的同伴之別。非善士選擇無信念、無慚意、不畏惡行、對靈性教導無知、怠惰、無念住、少智慧的人士爲朋友與同伴。由于選擇了這等惡友爲其咨謀，此人在計劃與行動上害己、害人、兩害，他得到憂苦與不幸的果報。
In contrast, the Buddha continues, the good person chooses as friends and companions those who have faith, who exhibit a sense of shame and moral dread, who are learned in the Dhamma, energetic in cultivation of the mind, mindful, and possessed of wisdom. Resorting to such good friends, looking to them as mentors and guides, the good person pursues these same qualities as his own ideals and absorbs them into his character. Thus, while drawing ever closer to deliverance himself, he becomes in turn a beacon light for others. Such a one is able to offer those who still wander in the dark an inspiring model to emulate, and a wise friend to turn to for guidance and advice. 佛陀繼續說，反之，善士選擇有信念、知恥、畏惡、于法博學、精勤修心、有正念、具智慧者爲友人與同伴。求教于這等賢友，敬其爲師長、向導，善士以同樣的素質爲追求理想，將其吸收納入自己的心性。如此，隨著他本人越來越趨近解脫，轉而成爲他人的燈塔。這樣的人，就能夠爲那些仍然在黑暗中摸索的人們擔當起一個勵志的榜樣、一位可請得忠告與指點的智友。
《親近智者》全文閱讀結束。