[265] Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, at one time the bhikkhus indeed satisfied my mind (citta). Here, bhikkhus, I addressed the bhikkhus thus: 'Bhikkhus, I eat my meal at a single sitting. Eating my meal at a single sitting, I perceive little affliction, little ailment, lightness of body, strength, and a comfortable abiding. Come, bhikkhus, you too eat your meal at a single sitting. Eating your meal at a single sitting, you too will perceive little affliction, little ailment, lightness of body, strength, and a comfortable abiding.' Bhikkhus, I had no need to keep giving instruction to those bhikkhus; there was only the need to arouse mindfulness (sati) in those bhikkhus. Suppose, bhikkhus, on even ground at a crossroads there stood a chariot harnessed to thoroughbreds, well tamed, with the goad lying ready; and a skilled trainer, a charioteer of horses to be tamed, having mounted it, taking the reins in his left hand and taking the goad in his right hand, might drive out and drive back wherever he wished, however he wished. Even so, bhikkhus, I had no need to keep giving instruction to those bhikkhus; there was only the need to arouse mindfulness in those bhikkhus. Therefore, bhikkhus, you too abandon the unwholesome (akusala) and apply yourselves to wholesome (kusala) dhammas; for thus you too will attain growth, increase, and maturity in this Dhamma and Discipline.
"Suppose, bhikkhus, not far from a village or a town there were a great sal grove, and it were choked with castor-oil plants. Then some man might appear desiring its good, desiring its welfare, desiring its security. He would cut down those sal saplings that were crooked, drainers of the sap, and carry them outside; he would thoroughly clean the interior of the grove; and he would properly tend those sal saplings that were straight and well grown. In this way, bhikkhus, that sal grove would at a later time attain growth, increase, and maturity. Even so, bhikkhus, you too abandon the unwholesome and apply yourselves to wholesome dhammas; for thus you too will attain growth, increase, and maturity in this Dhamma and Discipline."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.