________________
IV, 3, 17.
THE FOOLISH FELLOW.
239
"pointing out the real nature.” If any man, O king, in this birth does not attain to the perception of the Four Truths, then is his manhood (his being born as a man) in vain!, but if he acts differently he will become different. Therefore is it that he is called a useless fellow? And so the Blessed One addressed Sudinna the Kalanda with words of truth, and not with words apart from the facts.'
17. But, Någasena, though a man in abusing another speaks the truth, still we should inflict a small: fine upon him. For he is guilty of an offence, inasmuch as he, although for something real, abused him by the use of words that might lead to a breach (of the peace)
Have you ever heard, O king, of a people bowing down before, or rising up from their seats in respect for, or showing honour to, or bringing the complimentary presents (usually given to officials) to a criminal ?'
No, if a man have committed a crime of whatever sort or kind, if he be really worthy of reproof and punishment, they would rather behead him, or tor
translates: Upadra karana sitakin ut no wanneya, swabhâwa lakshana yen maya ehi wada la kisiwek cet nam, ê swabha wa lakshanaya maya.
* Mogham. So at Gataka III, 24. ? Mogha-puriso, the same word as I have translated elsewhere foolish fellow,' following Childers. But I never think that the word means always and only 'in vain, useless. See Gâtaka I, 14; III, 24, 25; Sutta Nipâta III, 7, 20; Mahâvagga VIII, 1, 5; Kullavagga V, 11, 3; Anguttara II, 5, 10; Sumangala Vilâsinî, p. 55.
9 Literally, a fine of a kahapana,' a copper coin worth in our money about a penny. See my 'Ancient Coins and Measures,' p. 3.
• Visum voharam a karanto. The Simhalese (p. 224) has Wen wû wa kana wû wyawa hârayekin hæsiremin.
Diglized by Google
