Katha Upanishad Verse 2.1.2

The ignorant chase after fleeing external objects of desire and fall into the widespread meshes of death. In contrast, the wise recognize the nature of true immortality and do not seek for stability among the transient things of this world.

Sanskrit Verse

पराचः कामाननुयन्ति बालास्ते मृत्योर्यन्ति विततस्य पाशं ।
अथ धीरा अमृतत्वं विदित्वा ध्रुवमध्रुवेष्विह न प्रार्थयन्ते ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

parācaḥ kāmānanuyanti bālāste mṛtyoryanti vitatasya pāśaṃ |
atha dhīrā amṛtatvaṃ viditvā dhruvamadhruveṣviha na prārthayante || 2 ||

Translation

The ignorant pursue external objects of desire; they get into the meshes of widespread death: but the intelligent, knowing sure immortality, do not covet the uncertain things here.