Here is the Pali:
appakā te sattā ye saṃvejaniyesu ṭhānesu saṃvijjanti
Bhante Sujato’s translation:
the sentient beings inspired by inspiring places are few
Here rendering ṭhānaṃ as ‘place’.
However, Bhikkhu Bodhi has:
those beings are few who acquire a sense of urgency about things inspiring urgency
Rendering ṭhānaṃ as ‘things’.
I believe BB’s rendering is supported by AN 4.113:
idha, bhikkhave, ekacco bhadro purisājānīyo suṇāti — ‘amukasmiṃ nāma gāme vā nigame vā itthī vā puriso vā dukkhito vā kālaṅkato vā’ti. so tena saṃvijjati, saṃvegaṃ āpajjati. saṃviggo yoniso padahati.
From BS’s own translation:
One fine thoroughbred person hears about the suffering or death of a woman or man in
such and such village or town. They’re moved to act by this, and strive effectively. Applying
themselves,
BB’s:
“Here, bhikkhus, one kind of excellent thoroughbred person hears: ‘In such and such a village or town some woman or man has fallen ill or died.’ He is stirred by this and acquires a sense of urgency. Stirred, he strives carefully
Then the sutta gives other reasons to get a sense of urgency:
one fine thoroughbred person doesn’t hear about the suffering or death of a
woman or man in such and such village or town, but they see it themselves. They’re moved to
act by this…
… doesn’t hear about the suffering or death of a woman or man in such and such village or town, nor do they see it themselves, but it happens to their own relative or family member. They’re moved to act …
… doesn’t hear about the suffering or death of a woman or man in such and such village or town, nor do they see it themselves, nor does it happen to their own relative or family member, but they themselves are afflicted with physical pain—sharp, severe, acute, unpleasant, disagreeable, and life-threatening. They’re moved to act by this…
I think AN 4.133 is a pretty strong hint that BB’s rendering of ṭhānaṃ as ‘things’ (or perhaps ‘occasions’ or ‘events’ would also fit) is more accurate and that perhaps BS’s translation should be corrected, since the above are not ‘places’ but ‘occasions’, ‘events’ or ‘things’ that arouse a sense of urgency.