Antarāmalasutta Iti 88, Inner Stains. Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Mendicants, there are these three inner stains, inner foes, inner enemies, inner killers, and inner adversaries.

What three?

Greed,

hate,

and delusion.

These three are inner stains, inner foes, inner enemies, inner killers, and inner adversaries.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“Greed creates harm;

greed upsets the mind.

That person doesn’t recognize

the danger that arises within.

A greedy person doesn’t know the good.

A greedy person doesn’t see the truth.

When a person is beset by greed,

only blind darkness is left.

Those who have given up greed,

don’t get greedy even when provoked.

Greed falls off them

like a drop from a lotus-leaf.

Hate creates harm;

hate upsets the mind.

That person doesn’t recognize

the danger that arises within.

A hateful person doesn’t know the good.

A hateful person doesn’t see the truth.

When a person is beset by hate,

only blind darkness is left.

Those who have given up hate,

don’t get angry even when provoked.

Hate falls off them

like a palm-leaf from its stem.

Delusion creates harm;

delusion upsets the mind.

That person doesn’t recognize

the danger that arises within.

A deluded person doesn’t know the good.

A deluded person doesn’t see the truth.

When a person is beset by delusion,

only blind darkness is left.

Those who have given up delusion,

don’t get deluded even when provoked.

They banish all delusion,

as the rising sun the dark.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Mettāsutta AN 11.15, Good Will. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

“Monks, for one whose awareness-release through good will is cultivated, developed, pursued, handed the reins and taken as a basis, given a grounding, steadied, consolidated, and well-undertaken, eleven benefits can be expected. Which eleven?

“One sleeps easily, wakes easily, dreams no evil dreams. One is dear to human beings, dear to non-human beings. The devas protect one. Neither fire, poison, nor weapons can touch one. One’s mind gains concentration quickly. One’s complexion is bright. One dies unconfused and—if penetrating no higher—is headed for the Brahma worlds.

“These are the eleven benefits that can be expected for one whose awareness-release through good will is cultivated, developed, pursued, handed the reins and taken as a basis, given a grounding, steadied, consolidated, and well-undertaken.”

Dutiyasaṅgāmasutta, Battle (2nd) SN 3.15. Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato

Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, mobilized an army of four divisions and marched to Kāsi to attack King Pasenadi of Kosala. When King Pasenadi heard of this, he mobilized an army of four divisions and marched to Kāsi to defend it against Ajātasattu. Then the two kings met in battle. And in that battle Pasenadi defeated Ajātasattu and captured him alive.

Then King Pasenadi thought, “Even though I’ve never betrayed this King Ajātasattu, he betrayed me. Still, he is my nephew. Now that I’ve vanquished all of Ajātasattu’s elephant troops, cavalry, chariots, and infantry, why don’t I let him loose with just his life?”

And that’s what he did.

Then several mendicants … told the Buddha what had happened.

Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

“A man goes on plundering

as long as it serves his ends.

But as soon as others plunder him,

the plunderer is plundered.

For the fool thinks they’re on solid ground,

so long as their wickedness has not ripened.

But as soon as that wickedness ripens,

they fall into suffering.

A killer creates a killer;

a conqueror creates a conqueror;

an abuser creates abuse,

and a bully creates a bully.

And so as deeds unfold

the plunderer is plundered.”