21.1
If by giving up a lesser happiness
one would enjoy a greater happiness,
the wise would surely give up the lesser
and enjoy the greater.
21.2
One who seeks his own pleasure
while inflicting misery on others,
is entangled in hostility
and not freed from hate.
21.3
By not doing what needs to be done,
and doing what should not be done,
the proud and insolent man
increases his burden of defilements.
21.4
But defilement comes to an end
for one who is mindful of the nature of the body,
who does not do what should not be done,
and who does what needs to be done.
21.5
Having slain mother, father, and two warrior kings,
having ravaged a kingdom and slain its people,
the brahmin, untouched, moves on.
21.6
Having slain mother, father, two wise kings,
and a tiger as the fifth,
the brahmin, untouched, moves on.
21.7
Wide awake, the disciples of Gotama
arise at every watch.
Day and night they are mindful of Buddha.
21.8
Wide awake, the disciples of Gotama
arise at every watch.
Day and night they are mindful of Dhamma.
21.9
Wide awake, the disciples of Gotama
arise at every watch.
Day and night they are mindful of Sangha.
21.10
Wide awake, the disciples of Gotama
arise at every watch.
Day and night they are mindful of the senses.
21.11
Wide awake, the disciples of Gotama
arise at every watch.
Day and night the mind delights in harmlessness.
21.12
Wide awake, the disciples of Gotama
arise at every watch.
Day and night the mind delights in meditation.
21.13
It is painful to go forth into homelessness,
difficult to find joy in it.
It is painful to live in a household,
difficult to be alone among many.
The traveler of life and death is trapped in misery.
Cease traveling.
Escape misery.
21.14
A man of faith, established in virtue,
who is possessed of wealth and fame –
such a man is honored wherever he goes.
21.15
Like the snow-capped Himalayas,
good people shine from afar.
Like arrows shot into the night,
the evil ones are swallowed by darkness.
21.16
Sitting alone, sleeping alone,
walking alone without tiring.
One who has tamed himself, alone,
delights in the solitude of the forest.