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The Dhammapada

9. Evil

Be urgent in good; hold your thoughts off evil. When one is slack in doing good the mind delights in evil. 116

If a man has done evil, let him not keep on doing it. Let him not create an inclination to it. The accumulation of evil means suffering. 117

If a man has done good, let him keep on doing it. Let him create an inclination to it. The accumulation of good means happiness. 118

An evil man encounters good so long as his evil behaviour does not bear fruit, but when his evil behaviour bears fruit, then the evil man encounters the evil consequences. 119

An good man encounters evil so long as his good behaviour does not bear fruit, but when his good behaviour bears fruit, then the good man encounters the good consequences. 120

Do not think lightly of evil that not the least consequence will come of it. A whole waterpot will fill up from dripping drops of water. A fool fills himself with evil, just a little at a time. 121

Do not think lightly of good that not the least consequence will come of it. A whole waterpot will fill up from dripping drops of water. A wise man fills himself with good, just a little at a time. 122

One should avoid evil like a merchant with much goods and only a small escort avoids a dangerous road, and like a man who loves life avoids poison. 123

If there is no wound on one's hand, one can handle poison. Poison has no effect where there is no wound. There is no evil for the non-doer. 124

Whoever does harm to an innocent man, a pure man and a faultless one, the evil comes back on that fool, like fine dust thrown into the wind. 125

Some are reborn in a human womb, evil-doers go to hell, the good go to heaven, and those without inflowing thoughts achieve final liberation. 126

Not in the sky, nor in the depths of the sea, nor hiding in the cleft of the rocks, there is no place on earth where one can take one's stand to escape from an evil deed. 127

Not in the sky, nor in the depths of the sea, nor hiding in the cleft of the rocks, there is no place on earth where one can take one's stand to not be overcome by death. 128

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