40b: The Last Days 2, In Vajji – 1500
2. Householders, furthermore, the ill-repute of an immoral person who
lacks moral virtue, spreads far and wide. This is the second
disadvantage befalling an immoral person who lacks morality.
3. Householders, furthermore, an immoral person who lacks moral virtue
in the midst of any class of society, whether among the ruling class, or
the recluses or the Brahmin class, or the wealthy, looks diffident and
uneasy. This is the third disadvantage befalling an immoral person who
lacks morality.
4. Householders, further more, an immoral person who lacks moral virtue,
dies in a bewildered (
sammūḷha
) state. This is the fourth disadvantage
befalling an immoral person who lacks morality.
5. Householders, furthermore, an immoral person who lacks moral virtue,
after death and dissolution of the body is destined to fall into the
miserable existences of hell (
Niraya
). This is the fifth disadvantage
befalling an immoral person who lacks morality.
[1011]
Householders these are the five disadvantages befalling an immoral person
through lack of morality.”
Five Advantages for a Virtuous Person
“Householders, five advantages bless a virtuous person for his being virtuous.
What are the five?
1. Householders, in this world, a virtuous person who possesses moral
virtue acquires great wealth through being heedful. This is the first
advantage that waits on a virtuous person for his being virtuous.
2. Householders, furthermore, the good reputation of a virtuous person
who possesses moral virtue spreads far and wide. This is the second
advantage that waits on a virtuous person for his being virtuous.
3. Householders, furthermore, a virtuous person who possesses moral
virtue in the midst of any class of society whether among the ruling
class, or the recluses, or the Brahmin class, or the wealthy, can hold up
his head and look anyone in the eye. This is the third advantage that
waits on a virtuous person for his being virtuous.