116
One should hasten to do good (what is beneficial, wholesome, skillful, meritorious [kalyāṇa]),
and restrain the mind from harm (evil, wrong, worthless, bad [pāpaka]);
For when one is slow in doing good,
the mind takes delight in harm.
117
If a person commits harm (produces harm to oneself, harm to others, or harm to both),
they should not do it again and again;
One should not take delight in it,
for the accumulation of harm brings suffering.
118
If a person does good (produces good for oneself, good for others, or good for both),
they should do it again and again;
One should take delight in it,
for the accumulation of good brings contentment (ease, comfort, happiness, pleasure [sukha]).
Picture: Parallel, Oil on linen, Jason Anderson
Related Teachings:
The four right efforts and the power of tiny improvements over a longer timeframe (AN 4.13) - Applying the four right efforts consistently by periodically reflect on the wholesome and unwholesome qualities leads to compounding growth.
The wise and the immature (SN 12.19) - The Buddha explains the similarities and the differences between the wise and the immature persons through dependent co-arising.
The mind arises first, and the mental qualities follow it (AN 1.56, 1.57) - Observing for the presence and absence of the wholesome and unwholesome mental qualities is a good way to observe for the trajectory of the mind.
