Ignorance is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, and wisdom is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities.
Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:
“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ; vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti.
“|Ignorance::illusion of knowledge, not knowing [avijjā]|, bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, with |shamelessness::lack of conscience [ahirika]| and |moral recklessness::fearlessness of wrongdoing [anottappa]| following behind. |True knowledge::wisdom, the direct realization of truth [vijjā]|, bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities, with a |sense of right and wrong::sense of shame, moral conscience, modesty [hirī]| and |moral dread::fear of wrongdoing out of regard for others [ottappa]| following behind.”
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
“Yā kācimā duggatiyo,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;
Avijjāmūlikā sabbā,
icchālobhasamussayā.
“Whatever unfortunate destinies,
exist in this world and the next;
all are rooted in ignorance,
and accumulation of |longing::craving, desire, yearning [icchā]| and |greed::grasping [lobha]|.
Yato ca hoti pāpiccho,
ahirīko anādaro;
Tato pāpaṁ pasavati,
apāyaṁ tena gacchati.
When one has |evil desires::yearnings that produce harm [pāpiccha]|,
is without shame and |disrespectful::disdainful, contemptuous [anādara]|;
They produce unwholesome actions,
and as a result, fall into a |state of misery::woeful destination [apāya]|.
Tasmā chandañca lobhañca,
avijjañca virājayaṁ;
Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,
sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.
Therefore, abandoning |desire::intention, wish, impulse, interest [chanda]| and greed,
and dispelling ignorance;
A bhikkhu who gives rise to wisdom,
will cast off all unfortunate destinies.”
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:
“|Ignorance::illusion of knowledge, not knowing [avijjā]|, bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, with |shamelessness::lack of conscience [ahirika]| and |moral recklessness::fearlessness of wrongdoing [anottappa]| following behind. |True knowledge::wisdom, the direct realization of truth [vijjā]|, bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities, with a |sense of right and wrong::sense of shame, moral conscience, modesty [hirī]| and |moral dread::fear of wrongdoing out of regard for others [ottappa]| following behind.”
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
“Whatever unfortunate destinies,
exist in this world and the next;
all are rooted in ignorance,
and accumulation of |longing::craving, desire, yearning [icchā]| and |greed::grasping [lobha]|.
When one has |evil desires::yearnings that produce harm [pāpiccha]|,
is without shame and |disrespectful::disdainful, contemptuous [anādara]|;
They produce unwholesome actions,
and as a result, fall into a |state of misery::woeful destination [apāya]|.
Therefore, abandoning |desire::intention, wish, impulse, interest [chanda]| and greed,
and dispelling ignorance;
A bhikkhu who gives rise to wisdom,
will cast off all unfortunate destinies.”
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.
Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ; vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti.
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
“Yā kācimā duggatiyo,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;
Avijjāmūlikā sabbā,
icchālobhasamussayā.
Yato ca hoti pāpiccho,
ahirīko anādaro;
Tato pāpaṁ pasavati,
apāyaṁ tena gacchati.
Tasmā chandañca lobhañca,
avijjañca virājayaṁ;
Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,
sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.
A related teaching is at SN 45.1 Avijjā Sutta - Ignorance.