For one must understand action (karma), and one must understand wrong action (vikarma); And one must understand inaction (akarma), for deep is the path of action (karma).
One should understand action, understand wrong action, and understand inaction too; the way of action is obscure.
(17) For a man must understand [the nature] of work, of work ill done, and worklessness [all three]: profound [indeed] are the ways of work.
4.17 For there is something to be known even about action, and something to be known about prohibited action; and something has to be known about inaction. The true nature of action is inscrutable.
4.17 For, there is what ought to be known in action. Likewise there is what ought to be known in multi-form action. And there is what ought to be understood in non-action. Thus mysterious is the way of action.
4.17 For verily (the true nature) of action (enjoined by the scriptures) should be known, also (that) of forbidden (or unlawful) action, and of inaction; hard to understand is the nature (path) of action.