f down to that state
where his enemy wishes him to be, as a creeper does with the tree which
it surrounds.

163. Bad deeds, and deeds hurtful to ourselves, are easy to do; what is
beneficial and good, that is very difficult to do.

164. The foolish man who scorns the rule of the venerable (Arahat), of
the elect (Ariya), of the virtuous, and follows false doctrine, he bears
fruit to his own destruction, like the fruits of the Katthaka reed.

165. By oneself the evil is done, by oneself one suffers; by oneself
evil is left undone, by oneself one is purified. Purity and impurity
belong to oneself, no one can purify another.

166. Let no one forget his own duty for the sake of another's, however
great; let a man, after he has discerned his own duty, be always
attentive to his duty.

Chapter XIII. The World

167. Do not follow the evil law! Do not live on in thoughtlessness! Do
not follow false doctrine! Be not a friend of the world.

168. Rouse thyself! do not be idle! Follow the law of virtue! The
virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next.

169. Follow the law of virtue; do not follow that of sin. The virtuous
rests in bliss in this world and in the next.

170. Look upon the world as a bubble, look upon it as a mirage: the king
of death does not see him who thus looks down upon the world.

171. Come, look at this glittering world, like unto a royal chariot; the
foolish are immersed in it, but the wise do not touch it.

172. He who formerly was reckless and afterwards became sober, brightens
up this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.

173. He whose evil deeds are covered by good deeds, brightens up this
world, like the moon when freed from clouds.

174. This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to heaven,
like birds escaped from the net.

175. The swans go on the path of the sun, they go through the ether by
means of their miraculous power; the wise are led out of this world,
when they have conquered Mara and his train.

176. If a man has transgressed one law, and speaks lies, and scoffs at
another world, there is no evil he will not do.

177. The uncharitable do not go to the world of the gods; fools only do
not praise liberality; a wise man rejoices in liberality, and through it
becomes blessed in the other world.

178. Better than sovereignty over the earth, better than going to
heaven, better than lordship over all worlds, is the reward of the first
step in