ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 314

The Weight of Small Choices

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.

Dhammapada 314 · Chapter 22, The Downward Course · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “An evil deed is better left undone, for a man repents of it afterwards.” In its chapter, this image points toward actions and the consequences they set in motion. Read goodness here as a trainable direction—choices that reduce harm and leave less residue of regret. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.

Practice prompt

What choice today will leave no need for regret?