Dhammapada, Dhamma Verses (KN 2)

5: The Chapter about Fools – 35
Muhuttam-api ce viññū paṇḍitaṁ pay i rupāsati,
If a perceptive man attends on a wise man even for a second,
khippaṁ Dhammaṁ vijānāti, jivhā sūparasaṁ yathā. [65]
he quickly learns Dhamma, just as the tongue (learns) the taste of curry.
Caranti bālā dummedhā amitteneva attanā,
Stupid fools live having themselves as their own foes,
karontā pāpakaṁ kammaṁ, yaṁ hoti kaṭukapphalaṁ. [66]
committing wicked deeds, which produce bitter fruit.
Na taṁ kammaṁ kataṁ sādhu, yaṁ katvā anutappati,
That deed is not well done, which, having done, one has regret,
yassa assumukho rodaṁ, vipākaṁ paṭisevati. [67]
for which he has tears on his face, as the result follows him round.
Tañ-ca kammaṁ kataṁ sādhu, yaṁ katvā nānutappati,
But that deed is well done, which, having done, one has no regret,
yassa patīto sumano, vipākaṁ paṭisevati. [68]
for which he is pleased and happy, as the result follows him round. 1
Madhuvā maññati bālo, yāva pāpaṁ na paccati,
The fool thinks it sweet, as long as the wicked deed does not ripen,
yadā ca paccati pāpaṁ, bālo dukkhaṁ nigacchati. [69]
but when the wicked deed ripens, the fool undergoes suffering.
Māse māse kusaggena bālo bhuñjetha bhojanaṁ,
From month to month the fool may eat food with the tip of kusa-grass, 2
na so saṅkhātadhammānaṁ kalaṁ agghati soḷasiṁ. [70]
(but) he is not worth a sixteenth part of those who have mastered Dhamma.
1 These two verses again form a pair, and interestingly neither mention fools, the subject of this
chapter, but may have come in through collocation on the word kamma.
2
Meaning he may be an ascetic engaging in very strict practices, such as eating very little.