法苑珠林 21.81

21.81

婦人非常友　如燈焰不停
彼則是常怨　猶如畫石文
雖親近富者　無物則厭人
有物婦女近　無物婦女捨
與物興供養　作種種功德
其心如火焰　而不可秉執
男如是隨順　如心之所欲
彼如是婦女　而常誑男子
如蛇華所覆　如灰土覆火
色如是覆毒　婦女亦如是
猶如見毒樹　悅眼而不善
婦女如毒華　智者應捨離

"A woman is not a constant friend, / restless like the flame of a lamp.
She is an enduring enemy, / like an inscription carved in stone.
Though she draws close to the wealthy, / when they have nothing, she despises them;
when they have possessions, a woman approaches; / when they have nothing, a woman abandons them.
Offerings may be raised and given to her, / performing all kinds of meritorious deeds,
yet her mind is like a tongue of fire, / impossible to grasp and hold.
Even if a man complies with her / just as her heart desires,
such a woman as this / constantly deceives the man.
Just as a serpent is concealed by flowers, / or fire is concealed by ashes and earth,
and beauty thus conceals poison, / a woman is also like this.
Just as seeing a poisonous tree / delights the eyes but is not wholesome,
a woman is like a poisonous flower; / the wise should cast her aside."