Vatican Saying 7

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Translation

For a wrongdoer to be undetected is difficult; and for him to have confidence that his concealment will continue is impossible.

Analysis

A summary of Principal Doctrine 35, this Saying focuses on the typically Epicurean "durational value" of good conduct, by illustrating a negative example: the wrongdoer sets himself a difficult goal by hoping not to get caught; long-term, he sets himself a truly impossible one. Worse yet, he sacrifices his peace of mind in the process, unable to have any certainty that he will never get caught at all. He has forfeited his chance of attaining ataraxia by his misdeeds.