[617] "What do you think, Assalāyana? Have you heard that in Yona and Kamboja, and in other borderland countries, there are only two classes (vaṇṇa): master and slave; and that having been a master one becomes a slave, and having been a slave one becomes a master?"
"Yes, sir, I have heard that in Yona and Kamboja, and in other borderland countries, there are only two classes: master and slave; and that having been a master one becomes a slave, and having been a slave one becomes a master."
"In this matter, Assalāyana, what is the strength and what is the assurance of the brahmins, that here the brahmins say thus: 'Only brahmins are the highest class; any other class is inferior … heirs of Brahmā'?"
"Even though the worthy Gotama says this, still in this matter the brahmins think thus: 'Only brahmins are the highest class; any other class is inferior … heirs of Brahmā.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.