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]).

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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.