And the Blessed One observed the ways of society and noticed how
much misery came from malignity and foolish offences done only to
gratify vanity and self-seeking pride. 1
And the Buddha said: "If a man foolishly does me wrong, I will
return to him the protection of my ungrudging love; the more evil
comes from him, the more good shall go from me; the fragrance of
goodness always comes to me, and the harmful air of evil goes to
him." 2
A foolish man learning that the Buddha observed the principle of
great love which commends the return of good for evil, came and
abused him. The Buddha was silent, pitying his folly. 3
When the man had finished his abuse, the Buddha asked him,
saying: "Son, if a man declined to accept a present made to him,
to whom would it belong?" And he answered: "In that case it would
belong to the man who offered it." 4
"My son," said the Buddha, "thou hast railed at me, but I decline
to accept thy abuse, and request thee to keep it thyself. Will it
not be a source of misery to thee? As the echo belongs to the
sound, and the shadow to the substance, so misery will overtake
the evil-doer without fail." 5