30. Remorse (ITI30)

This was said by the Lord…

“There are two things, bhikkhus, causing remorse. What are the two? Here someone has not done what is good, not done what is wholesome, not done what is beneficial, but has done evil, callous, wrongful deeds. He is remorseful on thinking, ‘I have not done good,’ and is remorseful on thinking, ‘I have done evil.’ These, bhikkhus, are the two things causing remorse.”

Having performed misconduct
By body, misconduct by speech,
Misconduct by mind, and whatever else
Is reckoned a fault—

Not having done a good deed
And done much that is bad—
When his body perishes
That foolish one is reborn in hell.

Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland.

Digital Transcription Source: BPS Transcription Project

Extracted from The Udāna & the Itivuttaka, translated and introduced by John D. Ireland. Published in 1997.

The complete book, including introduction and notes by the translator, is available from the Buddhist Publication Society.

ISBN 955–24-0164-X

Copyright © 1997 by John D. Ireland.

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