Even the good see wicked things,

so long as their goodness has not ripened.

But as soon as that goodness ripens,

then the good see good things.

Think not lightly of evil,

that it won’t come back to you.

The pot is filled with water

falling drop by drop;

the fool is filled with wickedness

piled up bit by bit.

Think not lightly of goodness,

that it won’t come back to you.

The pot is filled with water

falling drop by drop;

the attentive one is filled with goodness

piled up bit by bit.

Avoid wickedness,

as a merchant with rich cargo and small escort

would avoid a dangerous road,

or one who loves life would avoid drinking poison.

You can carry poison in your hand

if it has no wound,

for poison does not infect without a wound;

nothing bad happens unless you do bad.

Whoever wrongs a man who has done no wrong,

a pure man who has not a blemish,

the evil backfires on the fool,

like fine dust thrown upwind.

Some are born in a womb;

evildoers go to hell;

the virtuous go to heaven;

the undefiled are fully extinguished.