Diligence
This chapter praises heedfulness, the careful attention that does not let the moment slip, and warns against negligence. It says the heedful are like the living and the heedless like the dead, that diligence and self-control let a person build an island the floods cannot cover, and that the wise guard diligence as their best treasure. The diligent person is pictured awake while others sleep, a swift horse passing a slow one, a fire burning up whatever binds. The last verses describe a mendicant, a monk or nun, who loves diligence and sees danger in negligence.
A note on these verses. Verses 23 and 32 speak of “extinguishment”, the translator’s word for nibbāna, the end of suffering; verse 30 says a god rose to chief of the gods by diligence.
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · public domain (CC0) · about 1 min · on SuttaCentral
21Heedfulness is the state free of death;heedlessness is the state of death.The heedful do not die,while the heedless are like the dead.
22Understanding this distinctionwhen it comes to heedfulness,the astute rejoice in heedfulness,happy in the noble ones’ domain.
23They who regularly meditate,always staunchly vigorous;the attentive realize extinguishment,the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.
24For the hard-working and mindful,pure of deed and attentive,restrained, living righteously, and diligent,their reputation only grows.
25By hard work and diligence,by restraint and by self-control,a smart person would build an islandthat the floods cannot overflow.
26Fools and simpletonsdevote themselves to negligence.But the wise protect diligenceas their best treasure.
27Don’t devote yourself to negligence,or delight in erotic intimacy.For if you’re diligent and meditate,you’ll attain abundant happiness.
28When the astute dispel negligenceby means of diligence,ascending the palace of wisdom,sorrowless, they behold this generation of sorrow,as an attentive one on a mountain topbeholds the fools below.
29Heedful among the heedless,wide awake while others sleep—a true sage leaves them behind,like a swift horse passing a feeble.
30Maghavā became chief of the godsby means of diligence.People praise diligence,while negligence is always deplored.
31A mendicant who loves diligence,seeing fear in negligence—advances like fire,burning up fetters big and small.
32A mendicant who loves diligence,seeing fear in negligence—such a one can’t decline,and has drawn near to extinguishment.