[173] "Few indeed were you, Bhaddāli, at that time when I taught you the exposition of the Dhamma (dhammapariyāya) on the simile of the young thoroughbred. Do you remember it, Bhaddāli?"
"No, venerable sir."
"In that case, Bhaddāli, to what cause do you attribute it?"
"Venerable sir, surely it is because for a long time I have been one who does not fulfill the training (sikkhā) in the Teacher's dispensation (sāsana)."
"That, Bhaddāli, is not the sole cause, not the sole condition. Rather, for a long time, having encompassed your mind with my mind, I have known you thus: 'When the Dhamma is being taught by me, this misguided man (moghapurisa) does not heed it, does not attend to it, does not engage it with his whole mind, does not listen to the Dhamma with ear inclined.' Still, Bhaddāli, I shall teach you the exposition of the Dhamma on the simile of the young thoroughbred. Listen to it and attend well; I shall speak."
"Even so, venerable sir," the venerable Bhaddāli replied to the Blessed One.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.