[226] "Good, bhikkhus! If, bhikkhus, this had been unknown by me, unseen, unascertained, unrealized, untouched by wisdom (paññā): 'When someone here feels such a pleasant feeling (vedanā), unwholesome states (akusalā dhammā) increase and wholesome states (kusalā dhammā) decline' — then, not knowing thus, were I to say, 'Abandon such a pleasant feeling,' would that have been fitting of me, bhikkhus?"
"No, venerable sir."
"But because, bhikkhus, this has been known by me, seen, ascertained, realized, and touched by wisdom: 'When someone here feels such a pleasant feeling, unwholesome states increase and wholesome states decline' — therefore I say: 'Abandon such a pleasant feeling.'
If, bhikkhus, this had been unknown by me, unseen, unascertained, unrealized, untouched by wisdom: 'When someone here feels such a pleasant feeling, unwholesome states decline and wholesome states increase' — then, not knowing thus, were I to say, 'Enter upon and abide in such a pleasant feeling,' would that have been fitting of me, bhikkhus?"
"No, venerable sir."
"But because, bhikkhus, this has been known by me, seen, ascertained, realized, and touched by wisdom: 'When someone here feels such a pleasant feeling, unwholesome states decline and wholesome states increase' — therefore I say: 'Enter upon and abide in such a pleasant feeling.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.