[42] Bhikkhus, suppose a spike of hill-rice or a spike of barley were wrongly directed, and were stepped upon by the hand or the foot: that it should pierce the hand or the foot, or draw blood — this is impossible. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the spike is wrongly directed. Even so, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu with a wrongly directed mind (citta) should pierce ignorance (avijjā), arouse true knowledge (vijjā), and realize Nibbāna — this is impossible. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the mind is wrongly directed.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.