Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/156

 20. 'And such a deed, which would cause that distress in both this world and the next and would be committed for this reason by the unwise, the wise never will do, for this very reason.'

Abhipâraga answered: 'Do not fear, Your Majesty, that you will transgress the Law herein.

21. 'By assisting in the performance of a gift you will act in accordance with the Law, whereas by not receiving her from my hand you would do wrong, since you obstruct the practice of giving.

'Nor do I see in this matter any occasion of damage to the reputation of Your Majesty. Why?

22. 'This is an arrangement between us; nobody else need know of it? Do not, therefore, put in your mind the fear of blame by public opinion.

'Further, to me this will be a favour, not a source of grief. Why so?

23. 'What harm can be procured to a faithful heart by the satisfaction obtained by serving the interest of his master? For this reason you may quietly indulge in your love; do not apprehend any grief on my side.'

The king replied: 'Stop, stop! no more of that wicked reasoning.

24. 'Surely, your very great attachment to my person prevents you from understanding that the righteous action which consists in the assistance to a deed of giving does not exist in the case of every gift.

25. 'Who by exceeding attachment to my person does not heed even his own life, is my friend, dearer to me than my kinsmen. His wife I am bound to respect as a friend's.

'You do not well, therefore, enticing me to a sinful action. And what you assert, "nobody else will know of it," will it be less sinful for this reason?

26. 'How can happiness be expected for him who commits a wicked action, though unwitnessed? As little as for him who has taken poison unseen. Both the pure-sighted Celestials and the holy ascetics among men cannot fail to witness him.

'Moreover, I tell you this: