Understanding this distinctionEvaṁ visesato ñatvā, when it comes to heedfulness,appamādamhi paṇḍitā; the astute rejoice in heedfulness,Appamāde pamodanti, happy in the noble ones’ domain.ariyānaṁ gocare ratā.
- Minor CollectionKhuddakanikāya
- Sayings of the Dhamma 21–32Dhammapada
2. DiligenceAppamādavagga
Heedfulness is the state free of death;Appamādo amatapadaṁ, heedlessness is the state of death.pamādo maccuno padaṁ; The heedful do not die,Appamattā na mīyanti, while the heedless are like the dead.ye pamattā yathā matā.
They who regularly meditate,Te jhāyino sātatikā, always staunchly vigorous;niccaṁ daḷhaparakkamā; the attentive realize extinguishment,Phusanti dhīrā nibbānaṁ, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.yogakkhemaṁ anuttaraṁ.
For the hard-working and mindful,Uṭṭhānavato satīmato, pure of deed and attentive,Sucikammassa nisammakārino; restrained, living righteously, and diligent,Saññatassa dhammajīvino, their reputation only grows.Appamattassa yasobhivaḍḍhati.
By hard work and diligence,Uṭṭhānenappamādena, by restraint and by self-control,saṁyamena damena ca; a smart person would build an islandDīpaṁ kayirātha medhāvī, that the floods cannot overflow.yaṁ ogho nābhikīrati.
Fools and simpletonsPamādamanuyuñjanti, devote themselves to negligence.bālā dummedhino janā; But the wise protect diligenceAppamādañca medhāvī, as their best treasure.dhanaṁ seṭṭhaṁva rakkhati.
Don’t devote yourself to negligence,Mā pamādamanuyuñjetha, or delight in erotic intimacy.mā kāmaratisanthavaṁ; For if you’re diligent and meditate,Appamatto hi jhāyanto, you’ll attain abundant happiness.pappoti vipulaṁ sukhaṁ.
When the astute dispel negligencePamādaṁ appamādena, by means of diligence,yadā nudati paṇḍito; ascending the palace of wisdom,Paññāpāsādamāruyha, sorrowless, they behold this generation of sorrow,asoko sokiniṁ pajaṁ; as an attentive one on a mountain topPabbataṭṭhova bhūmaṭṭhe, beholds the fools below.dhīro bāle avekkhati.
Heedful among the heedless,Appamatto pamattesu, wide awake while others sleep—suttesu bahujāgaro; a true sage leaves them behind,Abalassaṁva sīghasso, like a swift horse passing a feeble.hitvā yāti sumedhaso.
Maghavā became chief of the godsAppamādena maghavā, by means of diligence.devānaṁ seṭṭhataṁ gato; People praise diligence,Appamādaṁ pasaṁsanti, while negligence is always deplored.pamādo garahito sadā.
A mendicant who loves diligence,Appamādarato bhikkhu, seeing fear in negligence—pamāde bhayadassi vā; advances like fire,Saṁyojanaṁ aṇuṁ thūlaṁ, burning up fetters big and small.ḍahaṁ aggīva gacchati.
A mendicant who loves diligence,Appamādarato bhikkhu, seeing fear in negligence—pamāde bhayadassi vā; such a one can’t decline,Abhabbo parihānāya, and has drawn near to extinguishment.nibbānasseva santike.