[243] Bhikkhus, how should the nutriment of mental volition (manosañcetanāhāra) be seen? Suppose, bhikkhus, there were a pit of glowing coals, deeper than a man's height, full of coals without flame and without smoke. Then a man would come along, wishing to live, not wishing to die, desiring pleasure and averse to pain; and two strong men, having seized him by both arms, would drag him toward that pit of coals. Then, bhikkhus, that man's intention would be far away, his wish would be far away, his aspiration would be far away. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, it is known to that man: "I shall fall into this pit of coals, and on that account I shall meet death, or suffering (dukkha) bordering on death." In just the same way, bhikkhus, I say the nutriment of mental volition should be seen. When the nutriment of mental volition is fully understood, bhikkhus, the three kinds of craving (taṇhā) are fully understood; when the three kinds of craving are fully understood, I say there is nothing further that a noble disciple needs to do.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.