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 gods.
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.