At Sāvatthi.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi of Kosala said this to the Blessed One: “Here, venerable sir, while I was alone in |seclusion::solitude, privacy [paṭisallāna]|, a reflection arose in my mind: ‘Who truly protects themselves and who leaves themselves unprotected?’
Then, venerable sir, it occurred to me: ‘Those who engage in |bodily misconduct::killing living beings, harming others, theft, or sexual misconduct [kāyaduccarita]|, |verbal misconduct::false speech, harsh speech, divisive speech, idle chatter [vacīduccarita]|, or |mental misconduct::yearning with strong eagerness and desire, having ill will or hatred, delighting in harm| leave themselves unprotected. Even though a company of elephant troops may protect them, or a company of cavalry, or a company of chariot troops, or a company of infantry, still they leave themselves unprotected. For what reason? Because that protection is external, not internal; therefore, they leave themselves unprotected.
And those who engage in |bodily good conduct::good physical conduct, virtuous bodily behavior [kāyasucarita]|, |verbal good conduct::applying the five factors of well-spoken speech - 1) speaking at the proper time, 2) being truthful, 3) being gentle, 4) speaking beneficially, and 5) speaking with a mind of loving-kindness [vacīsucarita]|, and |mental good conduct::being with thoughts of renunciation, non-ill will, and non-harm [manosucarita]| protect themselves. Even though no company of elephant troops protects them, nor a company of cavalry, nor a company of charioteers, nor a company of infantry, still they protect themselves. For what reason? Because that protection is internal, not external; therefore, they protect themselves.’”
“So it is, great king, so it is great king. Whoever engages in bodily misconduct, verbal misconduct, or mental misconduct leaves themselves unprotected. Even though a company of elephant troops may protect them, or a company of cavalry, or a company of chariot troops, or a company of infantry, still they leave themselves unprotected. For what reason? Because that protection is external, not internal; therefore, they leave themselves unprotected. And whoever engages in bodily good conduct, verbal good conduct, or mental good conduct protects themselves. Even though no company of elephant troops protects them, nor a company of cavalry, nor a company of charioteers, nor a company of infantry, still they protect themselves. For what reason? Because that protection is internal, not external; therefore, they protect themselves.
The Blessed One said this. Having spoken thus, the Well-Gone One further said this:
“Restraint with the body is good,
good is restraint by speech;
Restraint with the mind is good,
good is restraint in all aspects;
Restrained in every respect and conscientious,
One is said to be protected.”