One who, later wishes to do,

what should have been done in the past, ¹

The grounds for happiness are lost to them,

and later, their minds are burning [by remorse]. ²

One should always do what one says,

and not do what one does not say; ³

         For the wise easily recognizes ⁴

         Those who do not hold true to their words.

So very blissful is Nibbāna, (the extinction)

taught by the perfectly all awakened Buddha,

         Sorrowless, stainless and secure,

         Where all trouble comes to an end. ⁵

1 “Yo pubbe karaṇīyāni, pacchā so kātumicchati;

2 Sukhā so dhaṁsate ṭhānā, pacchā ca manutappati. Notice the skillful word play with manutappati (Mind burning) and susukhaṃ vata nibbānaṃ (The bliss of exctinction).

3 Yañhi kayirā tañhi vade, yaṁ na kayirā na taṁ vade;

4 Akarontaṁ bhāsamānaṁ, parijānanti paṇḍitā.

5 Susukhaṁ vata nibbānaṁ, sammāsambuddhadesitaṁ; Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ, yattha dukkhaṁ nirujjhatī”ti.