[292] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Sāmagāmaka, by the lotus pond. Then a certain deity (devatā), when the night was far advanced, of surpassing beauty, illuminating the entire lotus pond, approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, it stood to one side. Standing to one side, that deity said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, these three things lead to the decline of a bhikkhu. What three? Delight in work (kammārāmatā), delight in talk (bhassārāmatā), and delight in sleep (niddārāmatā). These three things, venerable sir, lead to the decline of a bhikkhu."
This is what that deity said. The Teacher approved. Then that deity, thinking, "The Teacher approves of me," paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping the right side towards him, and vanished right there.
Then, when that night had passed, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, this past night a certain deity, when the night was far advanced, of surpassing beauty, illuminating the entire lotus pond, approached me; having approached and paid homage to me, it stood to one side. Standing to one side, bhikkhus, that deity said to me: 'Venerable sir, these three things lead to the decline of a bhikkhu. What three? Delight in work, delight in talk, and delight in sleep. These three things, venerable sir, lead to the decline of a bhikkhu.' This is what that deity said, bhikkhus. Having said this, it paid homage to me, circumambulated me keeping the right side towards me, and vanished right there. It is a loss for those, bhikkhus, it is an ill gain for those, whom even the deities know to be declining in wholesome qualities. I shall teach another three things that lead to decline. Listen to it, attend closely; I shall speak." "Yes, venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: "And what, bhikkhus, are the three things that lead to decline? Delight in company (saṅgaṇikārāmatā), being difficult to admonish (dovacassatā), and bad friendship (pāpamittatā). These, bhikkhus, are the three things that lead to decline. Whoever in the past, bhikkhus, declined from wholesome qualities, all of them declined from wholesome qualities because of these same six things. Whoever in the future, bhikkhus, will decline from wholesome qualities, all of them will decline from wholesome qualities because of these same six things. And whoever at present, bhikkhus, decline from wholesome qualities, all of them decline from wholesome qualities because of these same six things."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.