A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

15: Deeds
Jā 537 Mahāsutasomajātakaṁ
Consequences of Indulgence and Duty
Yet more verses by which the Bodhisatta
eventually persuades the man-eating King to give
up his bad habit.
296. Yo ve Piyaṁ me ti piyānurakkhī,
Attaṁ niraṁkacca, piyāni sevati,
Soṇḍo va pitvā visamissapānaṁ,
Teneva so hoti dukkhī parattha.
He who, being attached to what he craves,
And disregards his true self-interest,
Like a drunkard who has drunk some poison,
Will be the one who suffers hereafter.
297. Yo cīdha saṅkhāya piyāni hitvā,
Kicchena pi sevati Ar i yadhammaṁ,
Dukhito va pitvāna yathosadhāni,
Teneva so hoti sukhī parattha.
He who, having abandoned what he likes,
And with difficulty does the right thing,
Like one sick who has drunk the medicine,
Hereafter will be the one who rejoices.
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