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Dhp IX
PTS: Dhp 116-128
Papavagga: Evil
translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
© 1997
Alternate translation: Buddharakkhita
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##### 116

Be quick in doing what's admirable. Restrain your mind from what's evil. When you're slow in making merit, evil delights the mind.

##### 117-118

If a person does evil, he shouldn't do it again & again, shouldn't develop a penchant for it. To accumulate evil brings pain. If a person makes merit, he should do it again & again, should develop a penchant for it. To accumulate merit brings ease.

##### 119-120

Even the evil meet with good fortune as long as their evil has yet to mature. But when it's matured that's when they meet with evil. Even the good meet with bad fortune as long as their good has yet to mature. But when it's matured that's when they meet with good fortune.

##### 121-122

Don't underestimate evil ('It won't amount to much'). A water jar fills, even with water falling in drops. With evil — even if bit by bit, habitually — the fool fills himself full. Don't underestimate merit ('It won't amount to much'). A water jar fills, even with water falling in drops. With merit — even if bit by bit, habitually — the enlightened one fills himself full.

##### 123

Like a merchant with a small but well-laden caravan — a dangerous road, like a person who loves life — a poison, one should avoid — evil deeds.

##### 124

If there's no wound on the hand, that hand can hold poison. Poison won't penetrate where there's no wound. There's no evil for those who don't do it.

##### 125

Whoever harasses an innocent man, a man pure, without blemish: the evil comes right back to the fool like fine dust thrown against the wind.

##### 126

Some are born in the human womb, evildoers in hell, those on the good course go to heaven, while those without effluent: totally unbound.

##### 127-128

Not up in the air, nor in the middle of the sea, nor going into a cleft in the mountains — nowhere on earth — is a spot to be found where you could stay & escape your evil deed. Not up in the air, nor in the middle of the sea, nor going into a cleft in the mountains — nowhere on earth — is a spot to be found where you could stay & not succumb to death.

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