Udāna 44

Heartfelt Sayings 5.4

The Boys

1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time, between Sāvatthī and the Jeta Grove, several boys were tormenting some fish.

2 Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. He saw the boys tormenting the fish. He went to them and said, “Boys, do you fear pain? Do you dislike pain?” “Yes, sir,” they replied. “We dislike pain.”

3 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

4 “If you fear pain,

if you dislike pain,

don’t do bad deeds

either openly or in secret.

5 If you should do a bad deed,

now or in the future,

you won’t be freed from suffering,

though you fly away and flee.”