The foolish of little wisdom pursue negligence. The wise protect vigilance as their greatest treasure.

Pamādamanuyuñjanti — pursue, practice negligence: anuyuñjanti has connotation of deliberate practice, almost cultivation. Negligence is not just accident or weakness; it becomes a habit actively maintained. The deception is that it feels like rest when it is actually erosion.

Bālo dummedhino janā — the foolish of little wisdom: bāla (foolish, immature) and dummeddha (of little intelligence) are not insults but technical descriptions of the state of one who has not developed discernment. The bāla is not bad; one simply has not yet seen.

Dhanaṃva surakkhitaṃ — like their greatest treasure well-guarded: the analogy with treasure is eloquent. A valuable treasure is guarded with care, not left exposed. Vigilance is the spiritual treasure that, unlike material treasures, cannot be stolen by another — it can only be lost through one’s own negligence.

The image of the guarded treasure also suggests active responsibility: it is not enough to possess attention; one must protect it, cultivate it, not take it for granted. Practice requires continuous renewal.