English translation
3.5.12 Not Even Harming a Tree *
“In the shade of a tree one sits and sleeps,
One should not even break the branch of t
hat tree,
Betraying a friend thus is wicked indeed.
In the shade of a tree one sits and sleeps,
One should not even harm its leaves,
Betraying a friend thus is wicked indeed.”
“In the shade of a tree one sits and sleeps,
One would even pull it out with the root,
If it was for one’s welfare!”
“If for one night one would stay in a house, where one was to obtain food and drink,
Not any evil thought should arise in one’s mind against his host –
it is gratitude that is praised by worthy men.
If even for one night one would stay in a house, where one was to be served with food and drink
Not any evil thought should arise in one’s mind against his host –
it is the hand that does not injure which burns those who deceive a friend.
Who received a wholesome deed previously and
thereafter harms with wickedness,
Is a man destroyed by a clean hand, he can not see good fortune.”
* Aṅkurapetavatthu: Aṅkura + peta + vatthu: Aṅkura + ghost + account.