[364] Dwelling at Sāvatthī … There the Blessed One … "Bhikkhus, it is according to elements (dhātu) that beings come together and unite: those of inferior disposition (hīnādhimuttika) come together and unite with those of inferior disposition; those of good disposition come together and unite with those of good disposition.
In the past, bhikkhus, it was according to elements that beings came together and united: those of inferior disposition came together and united with those of inferior disposition; those of good disposition came together and united with those of good disposition.
In the future, bhikkhus, it will be according to elements that beings will come together and unite: those of inferior disposition will come together and unite with those of inferior disposition; those of good disposition will come together and unite with those of good disposition.
Now too, bhikkhus, in the present time, it is according to elements that beings come together and unite: those of inferior disposition come together and unite with those of inferior disposition; those of good disposition come together and unite with those of good disposition."
The Fourth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.