[110] Bhikkhus, there are these four vipers (āsīvisa). What four? The one whose venom is quick to spread but not virulent; the one whose venom is virulent but not quick to spread; the one whose venom is both quick to spread and virulent; and the one whose venom is neither quick to spread nor virulent. These, bhikkhus, are the four vipers. In just the same way, bhikkhus, there are these four persons comparable to vipers found existing in the world. What four? The one whose venom is quick to spread but not virulent; the one whose venom is virulent but not quick to spread; the one whose venom is both quick to spread and virulent; and the one whose venom is neither quick to spread nor virulent.
And how, bhikkhus, is a person one whose venom is quick to spread but not virulent? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person becomes angry frequently, but that anger (kodha) of his does not lie latent for a long time. Thus, bhikkhus, a person is one whose venom is quick to spread but not virulent. Just as, bhikkhus, that viper whose venom is quick to spread but not virulent, just so, bhikkhus, I say this person is comparable.
And how, bhikkhus, is a person one whose venom is virulent but not quick to spread? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person does not become angry frequently, but that anger of his lies latent for a long time. Thus, bhikkhus, a person is one whose venom is virulent but not quick to spread. Just as, bhikkhus, that viper whose venom is virulent but not quick to spread, just so, bhikkhus, I say this person is comparable.
And how, bhikkhus, is a person one whose venom is both quick to spread and virulent? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person becomes angry frequently, and that anger of his lies latent for a long time. Thus, bhikkhus, a person is one whose venom is both quick to spread and virulent. Just as, bhikkhus, that viper whose venom is both quick to spread and virulent, just so, bhikkhus, I say this person is comparable.
And how, bhikkhus, is a person one whose venom is neither quick to spread nor virulent? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person does not become angry frequently, and that anger of his does not lie latent for a long time. Thus, bhikkhus, a person is one whose venom is neither quick to spread nor virulent. Just as, bhikkhus, that viper whose venom is neither quick to spread nor virulent, just so, bhikkhus, I say this person is comparable.
These, bhikkhus, are the four persons comparable to vipers found existing in the world.
The Valāhaka Chapter, the First.
Its summary (uddāna):
Two on clouds, and jars; two are on lakes of water;
mangoes, the mouse, the oxen, trees, and the one with the viper — these are the ten.
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The Kesī Chapter, the Second.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.