Heedfulness: the path to the Deathless. Heedlessness: the path to death.

The heedful do not die. The heedless are as if already dead.

Knowing this as a true distinction, those wise in heedfulness

rejoice in heedfulness, enjoying the range of the noble ones.

The enlightened, constantly absorbed in jhana, persevering, firm in their effort:

they touch Unbinding, the unexcelled rest from the yoke.

Those with initiative, mindful, clean in action, acting with due consideration, heedful, restrained,

living the Dhamma: their glory grows.

Through initiative, heedfulness, restraint, & self-control,

the wise would make an island no flood can submerge.

They’re addicted to heedlessness —dullards, fools—

while one who is wise cherishes heedfulness as his highest wealth.

Don’t give way to heedlessness or to intimacy with sensual delight—

for a heedful person, absorbed in jhana, attains an abundance of ease.

When the wise person drives out heedlessness with heedfulness,

having climbed the high tower of discernment, sorrow-free,

he observes the sorrowing crowd— as the enlightened man, having scaled a summit, the fools on the ground below.

Heedful among the heedless, wakeful among those asleep,

just as a fast horse advances, leaving the weak behind: so the wise.

Through heedfulness, Indra won to lordship over the devas.

Heedfulness is praised, heedlessness censured— always.

The monk delighting in heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness,

advances like a fire, burning fetters great & small.

The monk delighting in heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness

—incapable of falling back— stands right on the verge of Unbinding.

Appamādavaggo dutiyo niṭṭhito.