[323] [52] Then Jāṇussoṇi the brahmin approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One, and when that courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Jāṇussoṇi the brahmin said this to the Blessed One: "Master Gotama, what is the aim of khattiyas, what is their preoccupation, what is their foundation, what is their fixation, what is their final goal?" "Khattiyas, brahmin, have wealth as their aim, wisdom as their preoccupation, power as their foundation, the earth as their fixation, and sovereignty as their final goal."
"But, Master Gotama, what is the aim of brahmins, what is their preoccupation, what is their foundation, what is their fixation, what is their final goal?" "Brahmins, brahmin, have wealth as their aim, wisdom as their preoccupation, sacred hymns (manta) as their foundation, sacrifice as their fixation, and the Brahmā world as their final goal."
"But, Master Gotama, what is the aim of householders, what is their preoccupation, what is their foundation, what is their fixation, what is their final goal?" "Householders, brahmin, have wealth as their aim, wisdom as their preoccupation, craft (sippa) as their foundation, work as their fixation, and completed work as their final goal."
"But, Master Gotama, what is the aim of women, what is their preoccupation, what is their foundation, what is their fixation, what is their final goal?" "Women, brahmin, have a man as their aim, adornment as their preoccupation, sons as their foundation, being without a co-wife as their fixation, and authority as their final goal."
"But, Master Gotama, what is the aim of thieves, what is their preoccupation, what is their foundation, what is their fixation, what is their final goal?" "Thieves, brahmin, have taking as their aim, seizing as their preoccupation, weapons as their foundation, darkness as their fixation, and not being seen as their final goal."
"But, Master Gotama, what is the aim of ascetics, what is their preoccupation, what is their foundation, what is their fixation, what is their final goal?" "Ascetics, brahmin, have patience and meekness (khanti-soracca) as their aim, wisdom as their preoccupation, virtue as their foundation, owning nothing (akiñcana) as their fixation, and Nibbāna as their final goal."
"It is astounding, Master Gotama! It is amazing, Master Gotama! Master Gotama knows the aim, the preoccupation, the foundation, the fixation, and the final goal of khattiyas; Master Gotama knows those of brahmins … Master Gotama knows those of householders; Master Gotama knows those of women; Master Gotama knows those of thieves; Master Gotama knows the aim, the preoccupation, the foundation, the fixation, and the final goal of ascetics. Excellent, Master Gotama! … Let Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life, from this day forth."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.