[115] Bhikkhus, there are these four courses of action (ṭhāna). What four? There is, bhikkhus, a course of action that is disagreeable to do, and that course of action, when done, leads to harm. There is, bhikkhus, a course of action that is disagreeable to do, and that course of action, when done, leads to benefit. There is, bhikkhus, a course of action that is agreeable to do, and that course of action, when done, leads to harm. There is, bhikkhus, a course of action that is agreeable to do, and that course of action, when done, leads to benefit.
Therein, bhikkhus, as to the course of action that is disagreeable to do and that, when done, leads to harm: this course of action, bhikkhus, one considers as not to be done on both counts. In that this course of action is disagreeable to do, on this account too one considers it as not to be done; and in that this course of action, when done, leads to harm, on this account too one considers it as not to be done. This course of action, bhikkhus, one considers as not to be done on both counts.
Therein, bhikkhus, as to the course of action that is disagreeable to do but that, when done, leads to benefit: in regard to this course of action, bhikkhus, the fool and the wise man are to be known in respect of manly strength, manly energy (vīriya), and manly exertion. The fool, bhikkhus, does not reflect thus: 'Although this course of action is disagreeable to do, still this course of action, when done, leads to benefit.' He does not do that course of action, and that course of action, not being done by him, leads to harm. But the wise man, bhikkhus, reflects thus: 'Although this course of action is disagreeable to do, still this course of action, when done, leads to benefit.' He does that course of action, and that course of action, being done by him, leads to benefit.
Therein, bhikkhus, as to the course of action that is agreeable to do but that, when done, leads to harm: in regard to this course of action too, bhikkhus, the fool and the wise man are to be known in respect of manly strength, manly energy, and manly exertion. The fool, bhikkhus, does not reflect thus: 'Although this course of action is agreeable to do, still this course of action, when done, leads to harm.' He does that course of action, and that course of action, being done by him, leads to harm. But the wise man, bhikkhus, reflects thus: 'Although this course of action is agreeable to do, still this course of action, when done, leads to harm.' He does not do that course of action, and that course of action, not being done by him, leads to benefit.
Therein, bhikkhus, as to the course of action that is agreeable to do and that, when done, leads to benefit: this course of action, bhikkhus, one considers as to be done on both counts. In that this course of action is agreeable to do, on this account too one considers it as to be done; and in that this course of action, when done, leads to benefit, on this account too one considers it as to be done. This course of action, bhikkhus, one considers as to be done on both counts.
These, bhikkhus, are the four courses of action.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.