[51] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus!" "Venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: "Bhikkhus, if a bhikkhu is not skilled in the ways of the minds of others (paracittapariyāyakusala), then he should train thus: 'We shall be skilled in the ways of our own minds (sacittapariyāyakusala).' It is thus, bhikkhus, that you should train.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu skilled in the ways of his own mind? Suppose, bhikkhus, a woman or a man, young, youthful, fond of adornment, examining the image of his own face in a mirror that is pure and bright, or in a bowl of clear water: if he sees there dust or a blemish, he strives for the abandonment of that very dust or blemish; but if he does not see there dust or a blemish, he is glad on that very account, his intention fulfilled: 'It is a gain for me indeed! It is pure indeed for me!' Even so, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu, self-examination is of great help with regard to wholesome states: 'Do I often dwell covetous, or do I often dwell without covetousness? Do I often dwell with a mind of ill will, or do I often dwell with a mind without ill will? Do I often dwell overcome by dullness and drowsiness, or do I often dwell free of dullness and drowsiness? Do I often dwell restless, or do I often dwell without restlessness? Do I often dwell with doubt, or do I often dwell having crossed over doubt? Do I often dwell angry, or do I often dwell without anger? Do I often dwell with a defiled mind (citta), or do I often dwell with an undefiled mind? Do I often dwell with an agitated body, or do I often dwell with an unagitated body? Do I often dwell lazy, or do I often dwell with energy aroused? Do I often dwell unconcentrated, or do I often dwell concentrated?'
"If, bhikkhus, when examining himself, a bhikkhu knows thus: 'I often dwell covetous; I often dwell with a mind of ill will; I often dwell overcome by dullness and drowsiness; I often dwell restless; I often dwell with doubt; I often dwell angry; I often dwell with a defiled mind; I often dwell with an agitated body; I often dwell lazy; I often dwell unconcentrated,' then, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu should apply extraordinary desire, effort, endeavor, exertion, unremitting perseverance, mindfulness, and clear comprehension for the abandonment of those same evil, unwholesome states. Just as, bhikkhus, one whose clothes were ablaze or whose head were ablaze would apply extraordinary desire, effort, endeavor, exertion, unremitting perseverance, mindfulness, and clear comprehension for the extinguishing of that same blazing of his clothes or of his head, even so, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu should apply extraordinary desire, effort, endeavor, exertion, unremitting perseverance, mindfulness, and clear comprehension for the abandonment of those same evil, unwholesome states.
"But if, bhikkhus, when examining himself, a bhikkhu knows thus: 'I often dwell without covetousness; I often dwell with a mind without ill will; I often dwell free of dullness and drowsiness; I often dwell without restlessness; I often dwell having crossed over doubt; I often dwell without anger; I often dwell with an undefiled mind; I often dwell with an unagitated body; I often dwell with energy aroused; I often dwell concentrated,' then, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu, established in those same wholesome states, should make further effort for the destruction of the taints (āsava)."
End of the First Sutta.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.