The Buddhist Way of Life : On vigilance, earnestness and boldness

9. On vigilance, earnestness and boldness

• When, vigilant, the wise man puts from him negligence, ascending the tower of wisdom he looks down, free from sorrow, upon the sorrow-laden race of mankind. As from a mountain top, the wise man looks upon the fools in the valley. 
• Vigilant among the negligent, awake among those asleep, as a fleet courser leaves behind a sorry nag, so go the wise.
• Give not yourselves unto negligence. Have naught to do with the lust of the flesh. The vigilant is given to meditation.
• Earnestness leads to where death is not'; heedlessness is the way to death. Those who continue in earnestness do not die, but the heedless are as if already dead.
• Fall not away from your purpose for the sake of another, however great this latter may be. When once you have seen your goal, hold it firm and fast. 
• Be watchful! Have done with indolence! Travel the True Path ! Whoso walks thereon happy he lives in the world. 
• Idleness is a disgrace; constant sloth is defilement. By strenuous striving and with the help of insight you should pull out the poisoned arrow of indolence. 
• Give not yourselves unto negligence. Have not to do with the lust of the flesh. The vigilant, the given to meditation, these attain an overflowing happiness. 
• 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 Dhamma, his glory will increase.