[31] 21.
If, by relinquishing a happiness of limited measure, one might behold abundant happiness,
let the wise one relinquish the limited happiness, beholding the abundant happiness.
He who desires happiness for himself by inflicting suffering (dukkha) upon another,
entangled in the entanglement of enmity, is not released from enmity.
What ought to be done is cast aside, while what ought not to be done is done:
for the haughty and the heedless, the taints (āsava) increase.
But those by whom mindfulness directed to the body (kāyagatā sati) is constantly well undertaken,
who do not resort to what ought not to be done, but act with perseverance in what ought to be done —
for those, mindful and clearly comprehending (sampajāna), the taints come to their end.
Having slain mother and father and two khattiya kings,
having slain the kingdom together with its attendant, untroubled goes the brahmin (brāhmaṇa).
Having slain mother and father and two learned brahmin kings (sotthiya),
having slain that whose fifth is a tiger, untroubled goes the brahmin.
Ever well awakened do the disciples of Gotama awaken,
in whom, by day and by night, mindfulness is constantly directed to the Buddha.
Ever well awakened do the disciples of Gotama awaken,
in whom, by day and by night, mindfulness is constantly directed to the Dhamma.
Ever well awakened do the disciples of Gotama awaken,
in whom, by day and by night, mindfulness is constantly directed to the Saṅgha.
Ever well awakened do the disciples of Gotama awaken,
in whom, by day and by night, mindfulness is constantly directed to the body.
Ever well awakened do the disciples of Gotama awaken,
whose mind, by day and by night, delights in harmlessness (ahiṃsā).
Ever well awakened do the disciples of Gotama awaken,
whose mind, by day and by night, delights in mental development (bhāvanā).
Hard is the going forth, hard to delight in; hard to dwell in and painful are houses;
painful is living together with those who are not one's equals; the wayfarer is beset by suffering.
Therefore one should not be a wayfarer, nor be one beset by suffering.
One with faith, accomplished in virtue, endowed with fame and wealth —
whatever region he resorts to, there indeed is he honored.
From afar the good shine forth, like the Himavant mountain;
the bad are not seen, even here, like arrows shot in the night.
Sitting alone, sleeping alone, walking alone and unwearied,
alone taming oneself — one would find delight in the depths of the forest.
The Pakiṇṇakavagga, the Twenty-First.
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Dhammapada Verses: the Twenty-Second Chapter, the Nirayavagga.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.