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