> The first verse is words of venerable Sariputta

Oh, so it's Saariputta who poses the question in the first verse. I
thought it was the Buddha. Just goes to show that reading the
commentaries can SOMETIMES be useful! :-)

Now, let's have the second verse:

336. "Naaha.m abhi.nhasa.mvaasaa avajaanaami pa.n.dita.m
ukkaadhaaro manussaana.m nicca.m apacito mayaa."

na = not
aha.m = I (nominative)
abhi.nhasa.mvaasaa = due to frequent or continuous living with
(ablative)
avajaanaami = despise (prefix ava- means "down" hear,
i.e. "look down on")
pa.n.dita.m = wise one, wise man (accusative)

ukkaadhaaro = the torch-bearer (nominative singular)
manussaana.m = of men, of persons (genitive plural)
nicca.m = always, constantly
(adverb? accusative of manner?)
apacito = honored (nominative singular of past participle)
mayaa = by me (instrumental)

This one seems pretty easy:

VERY VERY, LITERAL TRANSLATION

336. Not I due to continuous living with despise the wise man;
The torchbearer of men always honored by me.

A BIT LESS LITERAL

336. I do not, due to continously living [with him], despise the wise
one;
The torchbearer of humanity is always honored by me.

K. R. NORMAN (and I didn't peek at it first!) TRANSLATION

336. "I do not despise the wise man from living with him constantly.
The one who holds up the torch for men is always honored by me."

Just a thought: Wasn't Jesus also said to be the "light of the world"?

Derek.