This three page undergraduate essay discusses Buddha's teachings about destructive behavior. The author notes that like Aristotle, Buddha believed that engaging in destructive behavior makes people more likely to repeat destructive behavior in the future. Once such behavior is indulged in, an endless cycle of cause and effect often begins which perpetuates the destructive behavior and intensifies it. Essentially, the flaws inherent in human nature make it hard to resist seeking short term pleasure, even if one is aware that this pleasure often causes long term harm.
