If you are afraid of pain,
if you don't like it,
do nothing evil,
either openly or in secret.
For if you do,
even if you get up and run away
you won't escape its pain.
If you are afraid of pain,
if you don't like it,
take refuge in the Buddha,
the Dharma and the Sangha.
Train in the precepts.
This is good.
-Theri-Gatha, 246-249
In this context, "pain" refers to the psychic pain of suffering. It is called psychic because suffering affects the psyche i.e. the mind.
"Evil" refers to mental calculation to achieve short-term satisfaction by an ordinary mind.
"Do nothing evil" thus means to do everything that is good. It stands to reason to include all acts both openly and in secret.
When one does evil, running away will not allow one to escape the pain of suffering.
Since we are afraid of pain and do not like to suffer, taking refuge in the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is the solution.
By training in the precepts, the Buddhist is doing great good. His actions will neutralize the evil he has done.
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