At the city of Sāvatthī …
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Bhante, is there one thing that leads to the benefit of both the present life and the lives to come?”
“There is, great king.”
“What is it, Bhante?”
“Diligence, great king, is one thing that, when developed and cultivated, leads to the benefit of both the present life and lives to come. Great king, the footprints of all creatures that walk, can fit inside an elephant’s footprint. So an elephant’s footprint is the biggest of them all. In the same way, diligence is one thing that leads to the benefit of both the present life and lives to come.”
The Buddha:
“The person who wishes to enjoy a long life,
beauty, good health,
rebirth in heaven and a high caste human family,
must be diligent in making merit.
The wise praise diligence in making merit.
“Being diligent, a wise person
secures both benefits: the benefit in this life,
and benefit in lives to come.
Such an energetic person is called the wise one.”
