Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4: Knowledge and the Renouncing of Action
Bhagavad Gita 4.17
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः ।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः ॥
karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṃ boddhavyaṃ ca vikarmaṇaḥ | akarmaṇaśca boddhavyaṃ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ ||
One must understand action, and understand wrong action, and understand inaction as well. The way of action is hard to fathom.
Modern context
Three things have to be understood: right action, wrong action, and inaction. They are easily mistaken for one another. A deed that looks good may come from a bad motive. An act that looks harsh may be the right one. Doing nothing may be the gravest act of all. Since the way of action is deep, quick moral verdicts, on others and on ourselves, deserve some caution.