[476] "Great king, by this method too it may be understood that this is mere report in the world: 'Only brahmins are the best class … heirs of Brahmā.' What do you think, great king? Suppose an aristocrat (khattiya) here were to break into houses, or carry off plunder, or rob an isolated house, or lie in wait on the highway, or go to another man's wife; and suppose your men, having arrested him, were to present him, saying: 'Sire, this man is a bandit, a wrongdoer against you; impose upon him whatever punishment you wish' — what would you do to him?"
"Worthy Kaccāna, we would have him executed, or have him split open, or banish him, or deal with him as the case warrants. Why is that? Because, worthy Kaccāna, the designation 'aristocrat' that he formerly had has vanished for him; he is reckoned simply as a bandit."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.