Transcending Concern for the World Beyond

The person who tells a lie,
who transgresses in this one thing,
transcending concern for the world beyond:
there's no evil
he might not do.

-Dhammapada, 176, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

The footnote on Verse 176 refers to "the principle of truthfulness." It also points to another verse in Iti 1:25 which further amplifies the above quote:


This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "For the person who transgresses in one thing, I tell you, there is no evil deed that is not to be done. Which one thing? This: telling a deliberate lie."

The person who lies,
who transgress in this one thing,
transcending concern for the world beyond:
there's no evil
he might not do.


Indeed, sincerity helps the truthteller, more than it does the liar.

For it is the depth of one's sincerity that determines the truth.

Reference:
Dhammapada 176: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/khuddaka/dhp/tb0/dhp-13-tb0.html

Footnote for Dhammapada 176: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/khuddaka/dhp/tb0/index.html#n176


Iti 1:25: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/khuddaka/iti/tb0/iti1.html#iti-025