Theragāthā 192

Verses of the Senior Monks 4.7

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Sambhūta

1 Hurrying when it’s time to dawdle;

dawdling when it’s time to hurry;

being so disorganized

a fool falls into suffering.

2 Their good fortune wastes away

like the moon in the waning fortnight.

They become disgraced

and alienated from their friends.

3 Dawdling when it’s time to dawdle;

hurrying when it’s time to hurry;

being so well organized,

an astute person comes into happiness.

4 Their good fortune flourishes

like the moon in the waxing fortnight.

They become famous and respected,

not alienated from their friends.