dhp.116-128 Dhammapada

Hasten to do wholesome deeds, ward off the mind from wickedness,
for the mind of the one slow in merit delights in wickedness.

Should a person do that which is wicked, he should not do it again and again,
let him not place his intention in it, for there is an accumulation of suffering for the wicked one.
If a person should make merit, he should do it again and again,
let him place his intention there, there is an increase of joy for the one who has made merit.

Even the wicked one experiences good fortune while the wickedness does not ripen,
but when the wickedness ripens then the wicked one experiences wicked things.

Even the fortunate one experiences wickedness as long as the good fortune does not ripen,
but when the fortune ripens then the fortunate one experiences good fortune.

One should not despise a little wickedness thinking: it will not come to me,
through the falling of water drops the water-pot is quickly filled,
the fool, gathering bit by bit, becomes full of wickedness.

One should not despise a little merit thinking: it will not come to me,
through the falling of water drops the water-pot is quickly filled,
the wise one, gathering bit by bit, becomes full of merit.

Like a merchant on a fearful path, with few friends and great wealth,
as one loving life would avoid poison, so should one avoid wicked deeds.

If there is no wound in his hand he can carry poison with his hand,
poison does not enter without a wound, there is no bad result for the one who does no wrong.

One offends against the inoffensive one,
a purified and passionless person,
that wicked deed then returns to the fool,
like fine dust that is thrown against the wind.

Some are reborn in the womb, but those who are wicked in the underworld,
the righteous go to heaven, those who are pollutant-free are emancipated.

Neither in the sky, nor in the middle of the ocean,
nor after entering a mountain cleft:
there is no place found on this earth
where one can be free from the results of wicked deeds.

Neither in the sky, nor in the middle of the ocean,
nor after entering a mountain cleft:
there is no place found on this earth,
in which death does not overcome one.

Hasten to do good;
Restrain your thoughts from evil.
When the mind is slow in doing good
It delights in evil.

Should one do evil,
He should not do it again and again.
He ought not to desire this.
Accumulated evil brings great suffering.

Should one do good,
He should do it again and again.
He ought to desire this.
Accumulated good brings great happiness.

An evil person sees benefit
As long as the evil has not ripened.
When the evil does ripen,
He realizes misfortune.

Even a good person sees detriment
Before the goodness has ripened.
When the good does ripen,
He realizes benefit.

Do not disregard evil, thinking, “It will not come to
me.” Even as falling drops of water can fill a jug,
So the fool becomes full of evil,
Collecting it little by little.

Do not disregard good, thinking, “It will not come
to me.” Even as falling drops of water can fill a jug,
So the wise one becomes full of goodness,
Collecting it little by little.

One should avoid evil deeds,
As a merchant with great wealth in a small caravan
Avoids the dangerous road,
As one who desires life avoids poison.

Without a wound, the hand can carry poison.
With no wound, the poison has no effect.
So evil has no effect for those who do not practice it.

As fine dust thrown against the wind,
So does evil return to the fool
Who wrongs the innocent, the faithful, and the pure.

Some arise in the womb;
Evildoers arise in hell;
The righteous emerge in heaven;
And those without toxins enter final-Nibbāna.

There is no place in the world—
Neither in the sky, nor the ocean depth,
Nor inside a mountain cave—
Where one would be free from one’s evil deed.

There is no place in the world—
Neither in the sky, nor the ocean depth,
Nor inside a mountain cave—
Where death is not victorious.

Hasten to do good; restrain your mind from evil. He who is slow in doing good, his mind delights in evil.

Should a person commit evil, let him not do it again and again. Let him not find pleasure therein, for painful is the accumulation of evil.

Should a person do good, let him do it again and again. Let him find pleasure therein, for blissful is the accumulation of good.

It may be well with the evil-doer as long as the evil ripens not. But when it does ripen, then the evil-doer sees (the painful results of) his evil deeds.

It may be ill with the doer of good as long as the good ripens not. But when it does ripen, then the doer of good sees (the pleasant results of) his good deeds.

Think not lightly of evil, saying, “It will not come to me.” Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the fool, gathering it little by little, fills himself with evil.

Think not lightly of good, saying, “It will not come to me.” Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good.

Just as a trader with a small escort and great wealth would avoid a perilous route, or just as one desiring to live avoids poison, even so should one shun evil.

If on the hand there is no wound, one may carry even poison in it. Poison does not affect one who is free from wounds. For him who does no evil, there is no ill.

Like fine dust thrown against the wind, evil falls back upon that fool who offends an inoffensive, pure and guiltless man.

Some are born in the womb; the wicked are born in hell; the devout go to heaven; the stainless pass into Nibbana.

Neither in the sky nor in mid-ocean, nor by entering into mountain clefts, nowhere in the world is there a place where one may escape from the results of evil deeds.

Neither in the sky nor in mid-ocean, nor by entering into mountain clefts, nowhere in the world is there a place where one will not be overcome by death.