2.37 Soṇa Poṭiriyaputta#

It’s not for sleeping,
the night garlanded
with zodiac stars.
The night, for one who knows,
is for staying awake.
If I were to fall from my elephant’s shoulder,
and a tusker trampled me,
death in battle would be better for me,
than that I, defeated,
survive.

Notes#

See also: Sn 3:2

Translation © Thanissaro Bhikkhu, from dhammatalks.org, licensed under CC BY 4.0.