[227] "Bhikkhus, if this had been unknown by me, unseen, unfathomed, unrealized, untouched by wisdom: 'When a certain person here feels a painful feeling (vedanā) of such a kind, unwholesome states increase and wholesome states decline' — not knowing thus, were I to say, 'Abandon a painful feeling of such a kind,' would that have been proper for me, bhikkhus?"
"No, venerable sir."
"But since, bhikkhus, this has been known by me, seen, fathomed, realized, touched with wisdom: 'When a certain person here feels a painful feeling of such a kind, unwholesome states increase and wholesome states decline,' therefore I say: 'Abandon a painful feeling of such a kind.'
"Bhikkhus, if this had been unknown by me, unseen, unfathomed, unrealized, untouched by wisdom: 'When a certain person here feels a painful feeling of such a kind, unwholesome states decline and wholesome states increase' — not knowing thus, were I to say, 'Enter upon and abide in a painful feeling of such a kind,' would that have been proper for me, bhikkhus?"
"No, venerable sir."
"But since, bhikkhus, this has been known by me, seen, fathomed, realized, touched with wisdom: 'When a certain person here feels a painful feeling of such a kind, unwholesome states decline and wholesome states increase,' therefore I say: 'Enter upon and abide in a painful feeling of such a kind.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.