[255] Sakka, lord of the devas, having been granted the opportunity by the Blessed One, asked the Blessed One this first question: "Dear sir (mārisa), by what fetters (saṃyojana) are the devas, humans, asuras, nāgas, gandhabbas—and whatever other numerous classes of beings there are—bound, such that, although the wish occurs to them, 'May we dwell free from enmity, free from violence, free from rivalry, free from ill will (byāpāda)—may we dwell without enmity,' nevertheless they dwell with enmity, with violence, with rivalry, with ill will, harboring enmity?" Thus did Sakka, lord of the devas, ask the Blessed One this question.
The Blessed One, being asked this question, answered him: "Lord of the devas, it is by the fetters of envy (issā) and stinginess (macchariya) that the devas, humans, asuras, nāgas, gandhabbas—and whatever other numerous classes of beings there are—are bound, such that, although the wish occurs to them, 'May we dwell free from enmity, free from violence, free from rivalry, free from ill will—may we dwell without enmity,' nevertheless, dwelling with enmity, with violence, with rivalry, with ill will, they harbor enmity." Thus did the Blessed One, being asked the question by Sakka, lord of the devas, answer it.
Delighted, Sakka, lord of the devas, rejoiced in and approved of the Blessed One's utterance: "So it is, Blessed One! So it is, Fortunate One (Sugata)! Herein I have crossed over doubt; my perplexity has vanished, having heard the Blessed One's answer to the question."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.