If one is a great reciter of the scriptures,
The indolent man who does not act according to them
Is like a cowherd counting the cattle of others.
He becomes not a participant in the spiritual life.
If one is a reciter of even a little of the scriptures,
One who practices the Dhamma, having forsaken greed, hatred, and delusion,
That fully-comprehending one with mind well-freed
— one free from clinging in this life or the next —
He is a sharer in the spiritual life.
From (clinging to) what is dear arises sorrow.
From (clinging to) what is dear arises fear.
For one who is completely free from (clinging to) what is dear,
He has no sorrow — whence fear?
From (worldly) love arises sorrow,
From (worldly) love arises fear.
To one who is freed from (worldly) love,
He has no sorrow — whence fear?
From attachment arises sorrow,
From attachment arises fear.
For one who is freed from attachment,
There is no sorrow — whence fear?
From desire arises sorrow,
From desire arises fear.
For one who is freed from desire
There is no sorrow — whence fear?
Translated by Bodhipaksa.
