[54] Bhikkhus, there are these five unfavorable occasions for striving (padhāna). What five?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is old, overcome by aging. This, bhikkhus, is the first unfavorable occasion for striving.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is sick, overcome by illness. This, bhikkhus, is the second unfavorable occasion for striving.
Again, bhikkhus, there is a famine, when the crops are bad and almsfood is difficult to obtain, and it is not easy to sustain oneself by gleaning and gathering. This, bhikkhus, is the third unfavorable occasion for striving.
Again, bhikkhus, there is peril, an upheaval in the wilderness, and the people of the countryside, mounting their vehicles, flee in all directions. This, bhikkhus, is the fourth unfavorable occasion for striving.
Again, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha is divided; and when the Saṅgha is divided, bhikkhus, there is mutual abuse, there is mutual reviling, there is mutual denigration, and there is mutual rejection. Then those without confidence do not gain confidence, while some of those with confidence change their minds. This, bhikkhus, is the fifth unfavorable occasion for striving.
These, bhikkhus, are the five unfavorable occasions for striving.
Bhikkhus, there are these five favorable occasions for striving. What five?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is young, a youth with black hair, endowed with the blessing of youth, in the first stage of life. This, bhikkhus, is the first favorable occasion for striving.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is seldom afflicted, seldom ill, endowed with an even digestion that is neither too cool nor too hot, but moderate and suitable for striving. This, bhikkhus, is the second favorable occasion for striving.
Again, bhikkhus, food is plentiful, the crops are good and almsfood is easy to obtain, and it is easy to sustain oneself by gleaning and gathering. This, bhikkhus, is the third favorable occasion for striving.
Again, bhikkhus, people dwell in concord, harmonious, without dispute, blending like milk and water, regarding one another with eyes of affection. This, bhikkhus, is the fourth favorable occasion for striving.
Again, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha dwells in concord, harmonious, without dispute, with a single recitation, at ease; and when the Saṅgha is in concord, bhikkhus, there is no mutual abuse, no mutual reviling, no mutual denigration, and no mutual rejection. Then those without confidence gain confidence, while those with confidence increase still more. This, bhikkhus, is the fifth favorable occasion for striving.
These, bhikkhus, are the five favorable occasions for striving.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.