People who are vigilant do not die; people who are negligent are as if dead

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 29, 2013:

Shakyamuni proclaims, "People who are vigilant do not die; people who are negligent are as if dead." This is definitely true. Unremitting diligence in our Buddhist practice—brave and vigorous exertion—infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha. In contrast, people who try to get by in life through cunning and deception enact a living death.