Reflections on Life Choices and Consequences : หน้า 18/114

If in the latter years of his life he had not squandered his wealth, but had applied himself to business, he would have become the third treasurer; and if he had retired from the world and become a monk, he would have attained the fruit of the second path, and his wife would have been established in the fruit of stream-entry. But now he has fallen away from the wealth of a layman and he has likewise fallen away from the estate of an ascetic. He has become like a heron in a dried-up pond.” So saying, he pronounced the following stanzas: acaritva brahmacariyam aladdha yobbané dhanam jinnakonca iva jhayanti khinamacchē pallale acaritva brahmacariyam aladdha yobbané dhanam sentì cappaṭikhina iva puranani anutthunan 1. Having led neither the holy life Nor riches won while young, They linger on like aged cranes Around a fished-out pond. 2. Having led neither the holy life Nor riches won while young, They lie around like worn-out bows Sighing about the past. DRY POND WAITING ... Those who neither live the Noble life, nor in youth spare up to their own welfare as old, wander about like herons in a dried out pond, like worn out tools, wailing in vain about their past glory... 16 Millionaire Heirs