The Related Suttas Collection 45.140

11. Abbreviated Texts on Diligence

Footprints

“The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint. So an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A bhikkhu who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path.

And how does a bhikkhu who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a bhikkhu develops right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. … That’s how a bhikkhu who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”