Dhammapada chapter 13: The World

Do not follow the evil law! Do not live on in thoughtlessness! Do not follow false doctrine! Be not a friend of the world.

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Rouse thyself! do not be idle! Follow the law of virtue! The virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next.

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Follow the law of virtue; do not follow that of sin. The virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next.

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Look upon the world as a bubble, look upon it as a mirage: the king of death does not see him who thus looks down upon the world.

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Come, look at this glittering world, like unto a royal chariot; the foolish are immersed in it, but the wise do not touch it.

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He who formerly was reckless and afterwards became sober, brightens up this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.

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He whose evil deeds are covered by good deeds, brightens up this world, like the moon when freed from clouds.

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This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to heaven, like birds escaped from the net.

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The swans go on the path of the sun, they go through the ether by means of their miraculous power; the wise are led out of this world, when they have conquered Mara and his train.

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If a man has transgressed one law, and speaks lies, and scoffs at another world, there is no evil he will not do.

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The uncharitable do not go to the world of the gods; fools only do not praise liberality; a wise man rejoices in liberality, and through it becomes blessed in the other world.

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Better than sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven, better than lordship over all worlds, is the reward of the first step in holiness.

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