Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:
“Dhātuso, bhikkhave, sattā sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandanti samenti. Hīnādhimuttikā sattā hīnādhimuttikehi sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandanti samenti, kalyāṇādhimuttikā sattā kalyāṇādhimuttikehi sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandanti samenti.
“Beings come together and associate with other beings according to disposition. Those with an inferior disposition come together and associate with those of a similar inferior disposition. Those with a good disposition come together and associate with those of a similar good disposition.
Atītampi, bhikkhave, addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandiṁsu samiṁsu. Hīnādhimuttikā sattā hīnādhimuttikehi sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandiṁsu samiṁsu, kalyāṇādhimuttikā sattā kalyāṇādhimuttikehi sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandiṁsu samiṁsu.
In the past too, beings came together and associated with other beings according to disposition. Those with an inferior disposition came together and associated with those of a similar inferior disposition. Those with a good disposition came together and associated with those of a similar good disposition.
Anāgatampi, bhikkhave, addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandissanti samessanti. Hīnādhimuttikā sattā hīnādhimuttikehi sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandissanti samessanti, kalyāṇādhimuttikā sattā kalyāṇādhimuttikehi sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandissanti samessanti.
In the future too, beings will come together and associate with other beings according to disposition. Those with an inferior disposition will come together and associate with those of a similar inferior disposition. Those with a good disposition will come together and associate with those of a similar good disposition.
Etarahipi, bhikkhave, paccuppannaṁ addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandanti samenti. Hīnādhimuttikā sattā hīnādhimuttikehi sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandanti samenti, kalyāṇādhimuttikā sattā kalyāṇādhimuttikehi sattehi saddhiṁ saṁsandanti samentī”ti.
Even now, in the present time, beings come together and associate with other beings according to disposition. Those with an inferior disposition come together and associate with those of a similar inferior disposition. Those with a good disposition come together and associate with those of a similar good disposition.”
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
“Saṁsaggā vanatho jāto,
asaṁsaggena chijjati;
Parittaṁ dārumāruyha,
yathā sīde mahaṇṇave.
“From association, craving arises,
through non-association, it is cut off;
like one who boards a fragile raft,
and sinks in the mighty ocean.
Evaṁ kusītamāgamma,
sādhujīvīpi sīdati;
Tasmā taṁ parivajjeyya,
kusītaṁ hīnavīriyaṁ.
By consorting with a lazy person,
even a virtuous person sinks;
therefore one should steer clear of a lazy person,
who is weak in effort.
Pavivittehi ariyehi,
pahitattehi jhāyibhi;
Niccaṁ āraddhaviriyehi,
paṇḍitehi sahāvase”ti.
One should dwell together with the wise,
with the secluded Noble Ones;
with resolute meditators,
who are continuously energetic.”
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.