[582] "Bhikkhus, I will teach you the three fine thoroughbred horses and the three fine thoroughbred persons. Listen to it and attend carefully; I will speak." "Yes, venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
"And what, bhikkhus, are the three fine thoroughbred horses? Here, bhikkhus, one fine thoroughbred horse … is accomplished in speed, accomplished in beauty, and accomplished in height and girth. These, bhikkhus, are the three fine thoroughbred horses.
"And what, bhikkhus, are the three fine thoroughbred persons? Here, bhikkhus, one fine thoroughbred person … is accomplished in speed, accomplished in beauty, and accomplished in height and girth. …
"And how, bhikkhus, is a fine thoroughbred person accomplished in speed, accomplished in beauty, and accomplished in height and girth? Here, bhikkhus, with the destruction of the taints (āsava), a bhikkhu realizes for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind (cetovimutti) and liberation by wisdom (paññāvimutti), and having entered upon it, he dwells therein. This, I say, is his speed. And when asked a question on the higher Dhamma (abhidhamma) or the higher Discipline (abhivinaya), he answers and does not falter. This, I say, is his beauty. And he is one who gains robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick. This, I say, is his height and girth. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a fine thoroughbred person is accomplished in speed, accomplished in beauty, and accomplished in height and girth.
"These, bhikkhus, are the three fine thoroughbred persons."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.