[296] "Bhikkhus, suppose the river Gaṅgā slants toward the east, slopes toward the east, inclines toward the east. Then a great crowd of people would come along carrying hoes and baskets, [thinking:] 'We will make this river Gaṅgā slant toward the west, slope toward the west, incline toward the west.' What do you think, bhikkhus — would that great crowd of people be able to make the river Gaṅgā slant toward the west, slope toward the west, incline toward the west?"
"Surely not, venerable sir."
"For what reason?"
"Venerable sir, the river Gaṅgā slants toward the east, slopes toward the east, inclines toward the east; it is not easy to make it slant toward the west, slope toward the west, incline toward the west. That great crowd of people would only partake of fatigue and vexation."
"Even so, bhikkhus, while a bhikkhu is developing the Noble Eightfold Path (ariya aṭṭhaṅgika magga), making much of the Noble Eightfold Path, kings or kings' great ministers, friends or colleagues, relatives or kinsmen might invite him to accept wealth, [saying:] 'Come, good man! Why should these ochre robes torment you? Why do you wander about shaven-headed with a begging bowl (kapāla)? Come, return to the lower life, enjoy wealth and do meritorious deeds.' Indeed, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu developing the Noble Eightfold Path, making much of the Noble Eightfold Path, will give up the training and return to the lower life — this is impossible. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, that mind (citta) which for a long time has slanted toward seclusion (viveka), sloped toward seclusion, inclined toward seclusion — that it will return to the lower life is impossible."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.