[1723] Bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins understand as it really is (yathābhūta): 'This is suffering (dukkha)' … understand as it really is: 'This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering' — they do not look to the face of another ascetic or brahmin, thinking: 'Surely this worthy one, knowing, knows; seeing, sees.' Suppose, bhikkhus, there were an iron post or an Indra's pillar (indakhīla), with a deep base, well planted, immovable, unshakable. Even if a violent storm of wind and rain were to come from the eastern direction, it would neither shake it, nor make it quake, nor make it tremble; even if from the western direction … even if from the northern direction … even if a violent storm of wind and rain were to come from the southern direction, it would neither shake it, nor make it quake, nor make it tremble. For what reason? Because of the depth of the base, bhikkhus, and because the Indra's pillar is well planted. In the same way, bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins understand as it really is: 'This is suffering' … understand as it really is: 'This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering' — they do not look to the face of another ascetic or brahmin, thinking: 'Surely this worthy one, knowing, knows; seeing, sees.' For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the four noble truths (ariyasacca) have been well seen. Which four? The noble truth of suffering … the noble truth of the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering. Therefore, bhikkhus, effort should be made [to understand]: 'This is suffering' … effort should be made [to understand]: 'This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering.'
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.