A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

16: Effort
Jā 71 Varaṇajātakaṁ
Doing one's Duties on Time
A brāhman student sleeps under a tree when he is
supposed to be collecting wood. Being woken up
he quickly climbs the tree and grabs some green
wood. The following day the cook cannot cook
with it, everyone is delayed, and they miss their
lunch.
308. Yo pubbe karaṇīyāni, pacchā so kātum-icchati,
Varuṇakaṭṭhabhañjo va, sa pacchā anutappati.
One who in the past had duties,
And later still hasn't done them,
Like the one who broke the tree branch
He will regret it in the future.
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