The followers of the awakened
Awake
And day and night they watch
And meditate upon their master.

Forever wakeful,
They mind the law.

They know their brothers on the way.

They understand the mystery of the body.

They find joy in all beings.

They delight in meditation.

It is hard to live in the world
And hard to live out of it.

It is hard to be one among many.

And for the wanderer, how long is the road
Wandering through many lives?

Let him rest.
Let him not suffer.
Let him not fall into suffering.

If he is a good man,
A man of faith, honoured and prosperous,
Wherever he goes he is welcome.

Like the Himalayas
Good men shine from afar.

But bad men move unseen
Like arrows in the night.

Sit.
Rest.
Work.

Alone with yourself,
Never weary.

On the edge of the forest
Live joyfully,
Without desire.

The Dhammapada
Rendered by Thomas Byrom