The Buddha explains the consequences of negligence and diligence, idleness and arousing of energy, having many desires and having few wishes, discontentment and contentment, unwise and wise attention, clear awareness and lack of it, bad and good friendships, and good and bad habits.

AN 1.82-97  Pamādādi vagga - The Chapter Beginning with Negligence

1.82

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, pamādo. Pamādo, bhikkhave, mahato anatthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as |negligence::carelessness, heedlessness [pamāda]|. Negligence, bhikkhus, leads to great harm.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

First.

1.83

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, appamādo. Appamādo, bhikkhave, mahato atthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great benefit as |diligence::quality of wishing to do one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamāda]|. Diligence, bhikkhus, leads to great benefit.”

Dutiyaṁ.

Second.

1.84

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, kosajjaṁ. Kosajjaṁ, bhikkhave, mahato anatthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as |idleness::A behavioral and mental condition characterized by passivity, inertia, and disengagement from effort. It denotes the absence or collapse of energy, manifesting as neglect of duties or wholesome pursuits. [kosajja]|. Idleness, bhikkhus, leads to great harm.”

Tatiyaṁ.

Third.

1.85

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyārambho. Vīriyārambho, bhikkhave, mahato atthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great benefit as |rousing of energy::taking initiative, making a mental decision to act [vīriyārambha]|. The arousing of energy, bhikkhus, leads to great benefit.”

Catutthaṁ.

Fourth.

1.86

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, mahicchatā. Mahicchatā, bhikkhave, mahato anatthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as |having many desires::longing and yearning for many things, greediness [mahicchatā]|. Having many desires, bhikkhus, leads to great harm.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Fifth.

1.87

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, appicchatā. Appicchatā, bhikkhave, mahato atthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great benefit as |having few wishes::being content [appicchatā]|. Having few wishes, bhikkhus, leads to great benefit.”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Sixth.

1.88

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, asantuṭṭhitā. Asantuṭṭhitā, bhikkhave, mahato anatthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as |discontentment::dissatisfaction [asantuṭṭhitā]|. Discontentment, bhikkhus, leads to great harm.”

Sattamaṁ.

Seventh.

1.89

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, santuṭṭhitā. Santuṭṭhitā, bhikkhave, mahato atthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great benefit as |contentment::satisfaction, having few wishes [santuṭṭhitā]|. Contentment, bhikkhus, leads to great benefit.”

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Eighth.

1.90

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, ayonisomanasikāro. Ayonisomanasikāro, bhikkhave, mahato anatthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as |unwise attention::improper attention, imprudent use of the mind [ayonisomanasikāra]|. Unwise attention, bhikkhus, leads to great harm.”

Navamaṁ.

Ninth.

1.91

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasikāro. Yonisomanasikāro, bhikkhave, mahato atthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great benefit as |wise attention::proper attention, prudent use of the mind, wise reflection, attention to the source [yoniso + manasikāra]|. Wise attention, bhikkhus, leads to great benefit.”

Dasamaṁ.

Tenth.

1.92

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, asampajaññaṁ. Asampajaññaṁ, bhikkhave, mahato anatthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as |lack of clear awareness::lack of attentiveness, lack of clear comprehension [asampajañña]|. Lack of clear awareness, bhikkhus, leads to great harm.”

Ekādasamaṁ.

Eleventh.

1.93

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, sampajaññaṁ. Sampajaññaṁ, bhikkhave, mahato atthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great benefit as |clear awareness::attentiveness, clear and full comprehension [sampajañña]|. Clear awareness, bhikkhus, leads to great benefit.”

Dvādasamaṁ.

Twelfth.

1.94

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, pāpamittatā. Pāpamittatā, bhikkhave, mahato anatthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as |bad friendship::friendship with unwholesome persons [pāpamittatā]|. Bad friendship, bhikkhus, leads to great harm.”

Terasamaṁ.

Thirteenth.

1.95

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, kalyāṇamittatā. Kalyāṇamittatā, bhikkhave, mahato atthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great benefit as |good friendship::friendship with wholesome persons [kalyāṇamittatā]|. Good friendship, bhikkhus, leads to great benefit.”

Cuddasamaṁ.

Fourteenth.

1.96

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, anuyogo akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ, ananuyogo kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ. Anuyogo, bhikkhave, akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ, ananuyogo kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ mahato anatthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as habitual engagement in |unwholesome qualities::unskillful actions, bad habits [akusaladhammā]| and habitual non-engagement in |wholesome qualities::skillful actions, good habits [kusaladhammā]|. Habitual engagement in unwholesome qualities, bhikkhus, and habitual non-engagement in wholesome qualities leads to great harm.”

Pannarasamaṁ.

Fifteenth.

1.97

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yo evaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, anuyogo kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ, ananuyogo akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ. Anuyogo, bhikkhave, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ, ananuyogo akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ mahato atthāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that leads to such great harm as habitual engagement in |unwholesome qualities::unskillful actions, bad habits [akusaladhammā]| and habitual non-engagement in |wholesome qualities::skillful actions, good habits [kusaladhammā]|. Habitual engagement in unwholesome qualities, bhikkhus, and habitual non-engagement in wholesome qualities leads to great harm.”

Soḷasamaṁ.

Sixteenth.

Topics & Qualities:

Bad friendship

Bad friendship

Association with those who are unprincipled, faithless, or unwise. Such companionship leads one away from the Dhamma, fostering negligence and wrong view.

Also known as: friendship with unwholesome persons
Pāli: pāpamittatā
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Clear awareness

Clear awareness

Clear comprehension that accompanies mindfulness, knowing what one is doing and why. Clear awareness keeps the mind steady, intentional, and free from distraction.

Also known as: clear awareness, clear comprehension, being intentional, deliberate, purposeful
Pāli: sampajañña, sampajāna
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Contentment

Contentment

The quality of being satisfied with the requisites one has and with the present conditions, resulting in having few desires and being free from agitation.

Also known as: fewness of wishes, having few desires, satisfaction, sense of ease
Pāli: santutthi, appicchatā, tuṭṭha, tosana
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Diligence

Diligence

The protective quality of guarding the mind amidst sensory experience. By restraining the faculties, the mind remains unsoiled by attraction.

Also known as: alertness, carefulness, heedfulness, conscientiousness, vigilance
Pāli: appamāda, uṭṭhāna
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Discontentment

Discontentment

A state of dissatisfaction with one's requisites or conditions. It fuels the search for more, disturbing peace and preventing the mind from settling into collectedness.

Also known as: dissatisfaction, unsatisfactoriness, boredom
Pāli: asantuṭṭhitā, aratī, atitta
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Good friendship

Good friendship

Association with those who are virtuous and wise, who encourage faith, ethical conduct, and discernment. Good friendship is the chief support for progress on the path, guiding one toward right view and wholesome living.

Also known as: friendship with wholesome persons
Pāli: kalyāṇamittatā
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Having many desires

Having many desires

An excessive wanting for possessions, pleasure, or recognition that keeps the mind unsatisfied. It grows from craving and discontentment and feeds restlessness. The many-desiring mind cannot find ease, for it multiplies its own needs endlessly.

Also known as: greediness, Related to:{sensual desire}
Pāli: mahicchatā
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Lack of discernment

Lack of discernment

Failure to understand cause and effect or to recognize wholesome from unwholesome. It clouds judgment and makes the mind easily led by craving and aversion.

Also known as: lack of clear comprehension, lack of wisdom, child-like in understanding
Pāli: asampajañña, bāla, duppañña
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Laziness

Laziness

Unwillingness or lack of energy and motivation to engage in wholesome activities or exert effort, leading to stagnation and missed opportunities for growth.

Also known as: sloth, indolence, sluggishness, idleness, inactivity
Pāli: kosajja, tandī, ālasya, kusīta
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Negligence

Negligence

Dwelling with unrestrained faculties, soiled by sensory attraction. Negligence is the failure to guard the mind and to arouse heedfulness, blocking the arising of wholesome states.

Also known as: carelessness, heedlessness, inattentiveness
Pāli: pamāda
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Right view

Right view

View that is in line with the Dhamma — teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth.

Also known as: right understanding, right belief, view that is inline with the Dhamma
Pāli: sammādiṭṭhi
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Rousing of energy

Rousing of energy

The arousing of effort and determination in body and mind. It begins with confidence and reflection on purpose, stirring energy for wholesome action.

Also known as: determination, being energetic, taking initiative, making a mental decision to act
Pāli: vīriyārambha, āraddhavīriya, uṭṭhānavant, atandita, pahitatta
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Unwise attention

Unwise attention

Attention that misses the point of contact, fixating on concepts or features. Disconnected from the source of experience, it then engages in reactions of craving, aversion, and delusion.

Also known as: improper attention, imprudent use of the mind, unfocused attention
Pāli: ayonisomanasikāra
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Wise attention

Wise attention

Paying attention to the point of contact where experience originates. It discerns the specific cause of the present moment, preventing the mind from drifting into proliferation.

Also known as: proper attention, prudent use of the mind, attention to the source
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
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Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on May 19, 2026