“Thus a fool is as void of sense and discernment as an animal. You have heard of the son-killer, now hear the story of the fool and his brother.”
Story of the fool and his brother.
A certain stupid fellow was talking in a crowd of men. Seeing a respectable man some way off, he said: “That man there is brother to me, so I shall inherit his property, but I am no relation to him, so I am not liable for his debts.” When the fool said this, even the stones laughed at him.
Thus fools shew folly, and people blinded by the thought of their own advantage behave in a very wonderful way. So you have heard the story of the fool and his brother, now hear the story of the man whose father followed a strict vow of chastity.”
Story of the Brahmachárin’s son.
A certain fool was engaged in relating his father’s good qualities in the midst of his friends. And describing his father’s superior excellence, he said: “My father has followed a strict vow of chastity from his youth, there is no man who can be compared with him.” When his friends heard that, they said, “How did you come into the world?” He answered “Oh! I am a mind-born son of his;” whereupon the matchless fool was well laughed at by the people.[29]
“Thus foolish people make self-contradictory statements with regard to others. You have heard the story of the son of the man who observed a strict vow of chastity. Hear now the story of the astrologer.”