Chapter 22

Anyone who says what isn’t true goes to hell, and so does the person who denies doing what they actually did. After death, both end up the same: people whose deeds are evil in the next world.

Many men who wear the yellow robe over their shoulders are of poor character and lack self-control; such wrongdoers, through their evil actions, go to hell.

It would be better to swallow a red-hot iron ball, blazing like fire, than for a corrupt and undisciplined person to live off the charity of the country.

A reckless man who lusts after his neighbor’s wife gains four things: a bad reputation, restless sleep, third, punishment, and finally, hell.

There is a damaged reputation and the path leading downward to hell; there is only brief pleasure shared between two frightened people; and the king imposes a heavy penalty. So no one should set his mind on his neighbor’s wife.

Just as a blade of grass, if grasped wrongly, cuts the hand, so a badly practiced ascetic life leads to hell.

An action done carelessly, a vow that is broken, and a hesitant compliance with discipline—none of these bring much reward.

If something needs to be done, do it; tackle it with energy! A careless seeker only stirs up the dust of his passions more widely.

A bad deed is better left undone, since a person regrets it later; a good deed is better done, since after doing it one feels no regret.

Like a well-guarded frontier fortress, defended both inside and out, a person should guard themselves. Not a single moment should be lost, for those who let the right moment slip away suffer when they end up in hell.

Those who feel ashamed of what shouldn’t shame them, and feel no shame about what should, adopt false views and enter the evil path.

Those who are afraid of what shouldn’t frighten them, and aren’t afraid of what should, adopt false views and enter the evil path.

Those who treat as forbidden what isn’t, and as permitted what should be forbidden, adopt false views and enter the evil path.

Those who recognize the forbidden as forbidden, and the permitted as permitted, embrace the true teaching and enter the good path.