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Dhammapada 21–32

Appamādavagga

2. Diligence · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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heedfulnessAppamādo the state free of deathamatapadaṁ,
heedlessnesspamādo of deathmaccuno the statepadaṁ;
the heedfulAppamattā notna diemīyanti,
whoye heedlesspamattā likeyathā deadmatā.

Heedfulness is the state free of death; heedlessness is the state of death. The heedful do not die, while the heedless are like the dead.

thusEvaṁ specificallyvisesato having understoodñatvā,
in heedfulnessappamādamhi the astutepaṇḍitā;
in heedfulnessAppamāde they rejoicepamodanti,
of the noble onesariyānaṁ in the domaingocare happyratā.

Understanding this distinction when it comes to heedfulness, the astute rejoice in heedfulness, happy in the noble ones’ domain.

theyTe meditatorsjhāyino regularlysātatikā,
alwaysniccaṁ staunchly vigorousdaḷhaparakkamā;
they realizePhusanti the attentivedhīrā extinguishmentnibbānaṁ,
sanctuary from the yokeyogakkhemaṁ supremeanuttaraṁ.

They who regularly meditate, always staunchly vigorous; the attentive realize extinguishment, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.

for the hard-workingUṭṭhānavato for the mindfulsatīmato,
for one of pure deedSucikammassa for the attentivenisammakārino;
for the restrainedSaññatassa for one living righteouslydhammajīvino,
for the diligentAppamattassa reputation grows onlyyasobhivaḍḍhati.

For the hard-working and mindful, pure of deed and attentive, restrained, living righteously, and diligent, their reputation only grows.

by hard work and diligenceUṭṭhānenappamādena,
by restraintsaṁyamena by self-controldamena andca;
an islandDīpaṁ would buildkayirātha a smart personmedhāvī,
thatyaṁ the floodogho cannot overflownābhikīrati.

By hard work and diligence, by restraint and by self-control, a smart person would build an island that the floods cannot overflow.

devote themselves to negligencePamādamanuyuñjanti,
foolsbālā simpletonsdummedhino peoplejanā;
but diligenceAppamādañca the wisemedhāvī,
treasuredhanaṁ as bestseṭṭhaṁva protectsrakkhati.

Fools and simpletons devote themselves to negligence. But the wise protect diligence as their best treasure.

don'tMā devote yourself to negligencepamādamanuyuñjetha,
don'tmā delight in erotic intimacykāmaratisanthavaṁ;
diligentAppamatto indeedhi meditatingjhāyanto,
attainspappoti abundantvipulaṁ happinesssukhaṁ.

Don’t devote yourself to negligence, or delight in erotic intimacy. For if you’re diligent and meditate, you’ll attain abundant happiness.

negligencePamādaṁ by means of diligenceappamādena,
whenyadā dispelsnudati the astute onepaṇḍito;
having ascended the palace of wisdomPaññāpāsādamāruyha,
sorrowlessasoko of sorrowsokiniṁ generationpajaṁ;
as one on a mountain topPabbataṭṭhova those on the groundbhūmaṭṭhe,
the attentive onedhīro the foolsbāle beholdsavekkhati.

When the astute dispel negligence by means of diligence, ascending the palace of wisdom, sorrowless, they behold this generation of sorrow, as an attentive one on a mountain top beholds the fools below.

heedfulAppamatto among the heedlesspamattesu,
while others sleepsuttesu wide awakebahujāgaro;
like a swift horse a feebleAbalassaṁva swift horsesīghasso,
having left behindhitvā goesyāti a true sagesumedhaso.

Heedful among the heedless, wide awake while others sleep— a true sage leaves them behind, like a swift horse passing a feeble.

by diligenceAppamādena Maghavāmaghavā,
of the godsdevānaṁ chiefhoodseṭṭhataṁ gonegato;
diligenceAppamādaṁ they praisepasaṁsanti,
negligencepamādo deploredgarahito alwayssadā.

Maghavā became chief of the gods by means of diligence. People praise diligence, while negligence is always deplored.

delighting in diligenceAppamādarato a mendicantbhikkhu,
in negligencepamāde seeing fearbhayadassi indeedvā;
fetterSaṁyojanaṁ smallaṇuṁ bigthūlaṁ,
burningḍahaṁ like fireaggīva advancesgacchati.

A mendicant who loves diligence, seeing fear in negligence— advances like fire, burning up fetters big and small.

one who delights in heedfulnessAppamādarato a monkbhikkhu,
in negligencepamāde seeing fearbhayadassi orvā;
unableAbhabbo to declineparihānāya,
just to extinguishmentnibbānasseva nearsantike.
The Chapter on HeedfulnessAppamādavaggo seconddutiyo.

A mendicant who loves diligence, seeing fear in negligence— such a one can’t decline, and has drawn near to extinguishment.

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