[521] The Blessed One said this: "Bhikkhus, for the most part beings have such wishes, such desires, such aspirations: 'Oh, that unwished-for, unlovely, disagreeable things might diminish, and that wished-for, lovely, agreeable things might increase!' Yet, bhikkhus, for those beings who have such wishes, such desires, such aspirations, unwished-for, unlovely, disagreeable things increase, and wished-for, lovely, agreeable things diminish. In that case, bhikkhus, what do you take to be the reason for this?"
"Venerable sir, our teachings are rooted in the Blessed One, guided by the Blessed One, have the Blessed One as their refuge. It would be good indeed, venerable sir, if the meaning of this statement were to be made clear by the Blessed One himself; having heard it from the Blessed One, the bhikkhus will bear it in mind."
"Then, bhikkhus, listen and attend closely; I will speak."
"Yes, venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.