ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 119
Integrity in Action
Even an evil-doer sees happiness as long as his evil deed has not ripened; but when his evil deed has ripened, then does the evil-doer see evil.
Dhammapada 119 · Chapter 9, Evil · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “Even an evil-doer sees happiness as long as his evil deed has not ripened.” In its chapter, this image points toward the cumulative direction of repeated choices. Its value is practical when it changes how you meet one choice, relationship, or difficult feeling today. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.
Practice prompt
Before speaking, ask whether your words are true and useful.