Dhammapada on Repentance

An evil deed is better left undone, for a man repents of it afterwards; a good deed is better done, for having done it, one does not repent.

No, that deed is well done of which a man does not repent, and the reward of which he receives gladly and cheerfully.

That deed is not well done of which a man must repent, and the reward of which he receives crying and with a tearful face.

Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men.

If a man would hasten towards the good, he should keep his thought away from evil; if a man does what is good slothfully, his mind delights in evil.

If a man commits a sin, let him not do it again; let him not delight in sin: pain is the outcome of evil.

Let no man think lightly of evil, saying in his heart, It will not come nigh unto me. Even by the falling of water-drops a water-pot is filled; the fool becomes full of evil, even if he gather it little by little.

Let a man avoid evil deeds, as a merchant, if he has few companions and carries much wealth, avoids a dangerous road; as a man who loves life avoids poison.

Do not speak harshly to anybody; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful, blows for blows will touch thee.

He will have cruel suffering, loss, injury of the body, heavy affliction, or loss of mind,

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

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

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.

Beware of the anger of the mind, and control thy mind! Leave the sins of the mind, and practise virtue with thy mind!

There is bad reputation, and the evil way (to hell), there is the short pleasure of the frightened in the arms of the frightened, and the king imposes heavy punishment; therefore let no man think of his neighbour's wife.

Be not thoughtless, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud.