[100] Then Potaliya the wanderer approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Blessed One, and when the courteous and amiable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. As Potaliya the wanderer sat to one side, the Blessed One said this to him: "Potaliya, these four persons are found existing in the world. Which four? Here, Potaliya, a certain person speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—but does not speak praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Potaliya, a certain person speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time—but does not speak dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Potaliya, a certain person neither speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—nor speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Potaliya, a certain person both speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—and speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. These, Potaliya, are the four persons found existing in the world. Of these four persons, Potaliya, which person appeals to you as the more excellent and the more sublime?"
"Master Gotama, these four persons are found existing in the world. Which four? Here, Master Gotama, a certain person speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—but does not speak praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time—but does not speak dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person neither speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—nor speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person both speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—and speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. These, Master Gotama, are the four persons found existing in the world. Of these four persons, Master Gotama, the person who neither speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—nor speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time: this person appeals to me as the more excellent and the more sublime of these four persons. For what reason? Because this is excellent, Master Gotama, namely, equanimity (upekkhā)."
"Potaliya, these four persons are found existing in the world. Which four? … These, Potaliya, are the four persons found existing in the world. Of these four persons, Potaliya, the person who both speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—and speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time: this one is the more excellent and the more sublime of these four persons. For what reason? Because this is excellent, Potaliya, namely, knowledge of the proper time in each case."
"Master Gotama, these four persons are found existing in the world. Which four? Here, Master Gotama, a certain person speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—but does not speak praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time—but does not speak dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person neither speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—nor speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person both speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—and speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time. These, Master Gotama, are the four persons found existing in the world. Of these four persons, Master Gotama, the person who both speaks dispraise of one deserving dispraise—dispraise that is true and factual, at the proper time—and speaks praise of one deserving praise—praise that is true and factual, at the proper time: this person appeals to me as the more excellent and the more sublime of these four persons. For what reason? Because this is excellent, Master Gotama, namely, knowledge of the proper time in each case.
"Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent, Master Gotama! Just as, Master Gotama, one might set upright what had been overturned, or uncover what had been concealed, or point out the way to one who was lost, or hold up an oil lamp in the darkness so that those with eyes might see forms—even so has the Dhamma been made clear in many ways by Master Gotama. I go for refuge to Master Gotama, and to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life, from this day forward."
The Fifth Chapter: On Asuras.
Its summary:
The Asura, the three on concentration (samādhi),
with Chalāvāta as the fifth;
Of lusts, calm, for one's own welfare,
the training, and with Potaliya.
The Second Set of Fifty is finished.
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The Third Set of Fifty
The First Chapter: On Clouds
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.