The works of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya

Praśnottararatnamālikā

Verse 15

किं मरणं मूर्खत्वं किं चानर्घं यदवसरे दत्तम् ।आमरणात् किं शल्यं प्रच्छन्नं यत्कृतं पापम् ॥ १४ ॥

In plain words

What is death while still breathing? Ignorance. What is truly priceless? Help given precisely when it is needed. And what remains a thorn in the heart until the end of life? A wrong done in secret.

Close to the Sanskrit

What is death? Foolishness. And what is priceless? That which is given at the right time. What is a thorn until death? A sin that is committed in secret.