Standing to one side, the godling Khema recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence: Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho khemo devaputto bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“Fools and simpletons behave “Caranti bālā dummedhā, like their own worst enemies, amitteneva attanā; doing wicked deeds Karontā pāpakaṁ kammaṁ, that ripen as bitter fruit. yaṁ hoti kaṭukapphalaṁ.

It’s not good to do a deed Na taṁ kammaṁ kataṁ sādhu, that plagues you later on, yaṁ katvā anutappati; for which you weep and wail, Yassa assumukho rodaṁ, as its effect stays with you. vipākaṁ paṭisevati.

It is good to do a deed Tañca kammaṁ kataṁ sādhu, that doesn’t plague you later on, yaṁ katvā nānutappati; that gladdens and cheers, Yassa patīto sumano, as its effect stays with you.” vipākaṁ paṭisevati.

“As a precaution, you should do Paṭikacceva taṁ kayirā, what you know is for your own welfare. yaṁ jaññā hitamattano; A thinker, a wise one would not proceed Na sākaṭikacintāya, thinking like the cart driver. mantā dhīro parakkame.

Suppose a cart driver leaves the highway, Yathā sākaṭiko maṭṭhaṁ, so even and well compacted. samaṁ hitvā mahāpathaṁ; They enter upon a rough road, Visamaṁ maggamāruyha, and fret as soon as their axle is broken. akkhacchinnova jhāyati.

So too, a dullard leaves the good Evaṁ dhammā apakkamma, to follow what’s against the good. adhammamanuvattiya; Fallen in the jaws of death, Mando maccumukhaṁ patto, they fret like one whose axle is broken.” akkhacchinnova jhāyatī”ti.