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Dhammapada
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  • XII - Self
    • 157*:
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157*157:

If you hold yourself dear
then guard, guard yourself well.
The wise person would stay awake
    nursing himself
in any of the three watches of the night,
    the three stages of life.

 



157: "The three watches of the night": this is the literal meaning of the verse, but DhpA shows that the image of staying up to nurse someone in the night is meant to stand for being wakeful and attentive throughout the three stages of life: youth, middle age, and old age. The point here is that it is never too early or too late to wake up and begin nurturing the good qualities of mind that will lead to one's true benefit. On this point, see A.III.52 & 53, in which the Buddha counsels two old brahmans, nearing the end of their life span, to begin practicing generosity along with restraint in thought, word, and deed.





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