The Downward Path

306. He who says what is not, goes to hell; he also who, having done a thing, says I have not done it. After death both are equal, they are men with evil deeds in the next world.

306. Whoever tells lies goes to hell. So does anyone who does something and then denies doing it. After death, both are equal. Both are people whose deeds were evil, now in the next world.

307. Many men whose shoulders are covered with the yellow gown are ill-conditioned and unrestrained; such evil-doers by their evil deeds go to hell.

307. Many men who wear yellow robes are wicked and lack self-control. These evildoers go to hell because of their evil deeds.

308. Better it would be to swallow a heated iron ball, like flaring fire, than that a bad unrestrained fellow should live on the charity of the land.

308. Better to swallow an iron ball glowing like fire than for a bad, undisciplined man to live on the people's charity.

309. Four things does a wreckless man gain who covets his neighbour's wife,—a bad reputation, an uncomfortable bed, thirdly, punishment, and lastly, hell.

309. A reckless man who desires his neighbour's wife gains four things: a bad reputation, an uncomfortable bed, punishment, and finally, hell.

310. There is bad reputation, and the evil way (to hell), there is the short pleasure of the frightened in the arms of the frightened, and the king imposes heavy punishment; therefore let no man think of his neighbour's wife.

310. There is a bad reputation and an evil path (to hell). There is brief pleasure for a frightened person in another frightened person's arms. And the king imposes harsh punishment. So no man should think of his neighbor's wife.

311. As a grass-blade, if badly grasped, cuts the arm, badly-practised asceticism leads to hell.

311. Just as a grass blade cuts your arm if held incorrectly, wrongly practiced asceticism leads to hell.

312. An act carelessly performed, a broken vow, and hesitating obedience to discipline, all this brings no great reward.

312. A careless act, a broken vow, and hesitant obedience to discipline all bring no great reward.

313. If anything is to be done, let a man do it, let him attack it vigorously! A careless pilgrim only scatters the dust of his passions more widely.

313. If something is to be done, a man should do it with energy and determination! A careless pilgrim only spreads the dust of his passions more widely.

314. An evil deed is better left undone, for a man repents of it afterwards; a good deed is better done, for having done it, one does not repent.

314. An evil deed is better left undone, because you regret it afterward. A good deed is better done, because you do not regret doing it.

315. Like a well-guarded frontier fort, with defences within and without, so let a man guard himself. Not a moment should escape, for they who allow the right moment to pass, suffer pain when they are in hell.

315. A man should guard himself like a well-guarded frontier fort, defended both inside and out. He should not let a single moment slip by. For those who let the right moment pass suffer pain in hell.

316. They who are ashamed of what they ought not to be ashamed of, and are not ashamed of what they ought to be ashamed of, such men, embracing false doctrines enter the evil path.

316. Those ashamed of what is not shameful, but unashamed of what is shameful, embrace false teachings. They enter the evil path.

317. They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to fear, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path.

317. Some people fear what they should not fear and do not fear what they should fear. By embracing false teachings, these people follow the path of evil.

318. They who forbid when there is nothing to be forbidden, and forbid not when there is something to be forbidden, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path.

318. Some people forbid what should not be forbidden and fail to forbid what should be forbidden. These people embrace false teachings and enter the path of evil.

319. They who know what is forbidden as forbidden, and what is not forbidden as not forbidden, such men, embracing the true doctrine, enter the good path.

319. Those who recognize what is forbidden and what is not forbidden embrace the true teaching and enter the good path.