[466] Bhikkhus, these three persons are found existing in the world. Which three? There is, bhikkhus, the person who is to be regarded with disgust, not to be associated with, not to be cultivated, not to be attended upon; there is, bhikkhus, the person who is to be regarded with equanimity, not to be associated with, not to be cultivated, not to be attended upon; and there is, bhikkhus, the person who is to be associated with, to be cultivated, to be attended upon.
And which, bhikkhus, is the person who is to be regarded with disgust, not to be associated with, not to be cultivated, not to be attended upon? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is immoral, of evil character, impure, of suspect behavior, of concealed deeds; not an ascetic though claiming to be an ascetic, not a liver of the holy life though claiming to live the holy life; rotten within, oozing with lust, become like refuse. Such a person, bhikkhus, is to be regarded with disgust, not to be associated with, not to be cultivated, not to be attended upon. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, even though one does not come to follow the example (diṭṭhānugati) of such a person, still an evil report spreads about one: "This person has evil friends, evil companions, evil comrades." Just as, bhikkhus, a snake that has gone into a dungheap, even though it does not bite, still smears one; even so, bhikkhus, even though one does not come to follow the example of such a person, still an evil report spreads about one: "This person has evil friends, evil companions, evil comrades." Therefore such a person is to be regarded with disgust, not to be associated with, not to be cultivated, not to be attended upon.
And which, bhikkhus, is the person who is to be regarded with equanimity, not to be associated with, not to be cultivated, not to be attended upon? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is wrathful, full of exasperation; when even a little is said to him, he takes offense, becomes angry, bears ill will, becomes sulky, and displays anger, hatred, and displeasure. Just as, bhikkhus, a festering sore, when struck by a stick or a potsherd, discharges matter all the more; even so, bhikkhus, here a certain person is wrathful, full of exasperation; when even a little is said to him, he takes offense, becomes angry, bears ill will, becomes sulky, and displays anger, hatred, and displeasure. Just as, bhikkhus, a firebrand of tinduka wood, when struck by a stick or a potsherd, sizzles and crackles all the more; even so, bhikkhus, here a certain person is wrathful, full of exasperation; when even a little is said to him, he takes offense, becomes angry, bears ill will, becomes sulky, and displays anger, hatred, and displeasure. Just as, bhikkhus, a cesspit, when struck by a stick or a potsherd, becomes all the more foul-smelling; even so, bhikkhus, here a certain person is wrathful, full of exasperation; when even a little is said to him, he takes offense, becomes angry, bears ill will, becomes sulky, and displays anger, hatred, and displeasure. Such a person, bhikkhus, is to be regarded with equanimity, not to be associated with, not to be cultivated, not to be attended upon. For what reason? [With the thought:] "He might abuse me, he might revile me, he might even do me harm." Therefore such a person is to be regarded with equanimity, not to be associated with, not to be cultivated, not to be attended upon.
And which, bhikkhus, is the person who is to be associated with, to be cultivated, to be attended upon? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is virtuous, of good character. Such a person, bhikkhus, is to be associated with, to be cultivated, to be attended upon. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, even though one does not come to follow the example of such a person, still a good report spreads about one: "This person has good friends, good companions, good comrades." Therefore such a person is to be associated with, to be cultivated, to be attended upon.
These, bhikkhus, are the three persons found existing in the world.
A person who associates with the inferior declines;
one who associates with an equal never declines;
attending upon the superior, one rises swiftly;
therefore one should associate with one better than oneself.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.