← ScriptureCreate account →
Theravāda — Pali Canon · Khuddaka Nikāya — The Minor Collection
Dhp 21–322. Diligence
Pāli / Sanskrit:Appamādavagga
📖259 words · ~1 min read
2
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Full translation (English)
– Minor Collection
Sayings of the Dhamma 21–32 2. Diligence
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.Understanding this distinctionwhen it comes to heedfulness,the astute rejoice in heedfulness,happy in the noble ones’ domain.They who regularly meditate,always staunchly vigorous;the attentive realize extinguishment,the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.For the hard-working and mindful,pure of deed and attentive,restrained, living righteously, and diligent,their reputation only grows.By hard work and diligence,by restraint and by self-control,a smart person would build an islandthat the floods cannot overflow.Fools and simpletonsdevote themselves to negligence.But the wise protect diligenceas their best treasure.Don’t devote yourself to negligence,or delight in erotic intimacy.For if you’re diligent and meditate,you’ll attain abundant happiness.When 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.Heedful among the heedless,wide awake while others sleep—a true sage leaves them behind,like a swift horse passing a feeble.Maghavā became chief of the godsby means of diligence.People praise diligence,while negligence is always deplored.A mendicant who loves diligence,seeing fear in negligence—advances like fire,burning up fetters big and small.A mendicant who loves diligence,seeing fear in negligence—such a one can’t decline,and has drawn near to extinguishment.
Translation source: HT. Thích Minh ChâuLicense: CC0-1.0 (Sujato) · personal-use (Minh Châu)
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.
🔗Parallel editions
SN 47.63–72 · DiligenceSaṃyutta Nikāya — The Connected DiscoursesSN 53.13–22 · DiligenceSaṃyutta Nikāya — The Connected DiscoursesSN 48.83–92 · DiligenceSaṃyutta Nikāya — The Connected DiscoursesSN 50.13–22 · DiligenceSaṃyutta Nikāya — The Connected DiscoursesSN 46.89–98 · DiligenceSaṃyutta Nikāya — The Connected DiscoursesSN 49.13–22 · DiligenceSaṃyutta Nikāya — The Connected DiscoursesSN 51.45–54 · DiligenceSaṃyutta Nikāya — The Connected Discourses