[229] Bhikkhus, I do not say of all bhikkhus that they have work to be done with diligence; nor do I say of all bhikkhus that they have no work to be done with diligence. Bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are arahants, whose taints (āsava) are destroyed, who have lived the holy life, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, reached their own true goal, utterly destroyed the fetters (saṃyojana) of existence, and who are liberated through final knowledge — of such bhikkhus, bhikkhus, I say that they have no work to be done with diligence. Why is that? They have done their work with diligence; they are incapable of being negligent.
But, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are trainees (sekha), who have not yet attained the mind's goal, who dwell aspiring to the unsurpassed security from bondage (yogakkhema) — of such bhikkhus, bhikkhus, I say that they have work to be done with diligence. Why is that? [Thinking:] 'Perhaps these venerable ones, while resorting to suitable lodgings, associating with good friends (kalyāṇamitta), and composing their faculties, may realize for themselves with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed culmination of the holy life for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from the household life into homelessness, and, having entered upon it, may dwell therein.' Seeing this fruit of diligence for these bhikkhus, bhikkhus, I say that they have work to be done with diligence.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.