Diligence

21. Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvana), thoughtlessness the path of death. Those who are in earnest do not die, those who are thoughtless are as if dead already.

21. Mindful effort is the path to immortality (Nirvana). Carelessness is the path to death. Those who make mindful effort do not die. Those who are careless are as if already dead.

22. Those who are advanced in earnestness, having understood this clearly, delight in earnestness, and rejoice in the knowledge of the Ariyas (the elect).

22. Those who are deeply committed to earnest effort understand this clearly and delight in that effort. They rejoice in the knowledge of the Ariyas (the chosen ones).

23. These wise people, meditative, steady, always possessed of strong powers, attain to Nirvana, the highest happiness.

23. These wise people meditate, remain steady, and always have great strength. They reach Nirvana, the highest happiness.

24. If an earnest person has roused himself, if he is not forgetful, if his deeds are pure, if he acts with consideration, if he restrains himself, and lives according to law,—then his glory will increase.

24. If an earnest person makes an effort, stays mindful, acts purely, considers his actions, controls himself, and lives according to the law, then his glory will grow.

25. By rousing himself, by earnestness, by restraint and control, the wise man may make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.

25. Through effort, dedication, restraint, and self-control, a wise man may build himself an island that no flood can overwhelm.

26. Fools follow after vanity, men of evil wisdom. The wise man keeps earnestness as his best jewel.

26. Fools with corrupt judgment chase empty distractions. A wise man treasures diligence as his most precious jewel.

27. Follow not after vanity, nor after the enjoyment of love and lust! He who is earnest and meditative, obtains ample joy.

27. Do not pursue vanity or the pleasures of love and lust! Those who are earnest and meditate find great joy.

28. When the learned man drives away vanity by earnestness, he, the wise, climbing the terraced heights of wisdom, looks down upon the fools, serene he looks upon the toiling crowd, as one that stands on a mountain looks down upon them that stand upon the plain.

28. When a learned man drives away vanity through diligent effort, he climbs the terraced heights of wisdom. From there, the wise man looks down on fools. Calmly, he watches the struggling crowd, just as someone on a mountain looks down at those on the plain.

29. Earnest among the thoughtless, awake among the sleepers, the wise man advances like a racer, leaving behind the hack.

29. The wise man is focused among the careless, awake among the sleepers. He advances like a racehorse, leaving an ordinary horse behind.

30. By earnestness did Maghavan (Indra) rise to the lordship of the gods. People praise earnestness; thoughtlessness is always blamed.

30. Through diligence, Maghavan (Indra) became ruler of the gods. People praise diligence. Carelessness is always blamed.

31. A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in earnestness, who looks with fear on thoughtlessness, moves about like fire, burning all his fetters, small or large.

31. A Bhikshu (begging monk) who delights in diligence and fears carelessness moves like fire. He burns through all his bonds, small or large.

32. A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in reflection, who looks with fear on thoughtlessness, cannot fall away (from his perfect state)—he is close upon Nirvana.

32. A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in reflection and fears thoughtlessness cannot fall away from his perfect state. He is close to Nirvana.