[53] Bhikkhus, I do not praise even standing still in wholesome dhammas, let alone decline. Bhikkhus, I praise growth in wholesome dhammas, not standing still, not decline.
And how, bhikkhus, is there decline in wholesome dhammas, not standing still, not growth? Here, bhikkhus, to whatever extent a bhikkhu possesses faith, virtue, learning, generosity, wisdom, and discernment (paṭibhāna), those qualities of his neither remain steady nor increase. This, bhikkhus, I call decline in wholesome dhammas, not standing still, not growth. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that there is decline in wholesome dhammas, not standing still, not growth.
And how, bhikkhus, is there standing still in wholesome dhammas, not decline, not growth? Here, bhikkhus, to whatever extent a bhikkhu possesses faith, virtue, learning, generosity, wisdom, and discernment, those qualities of his neither decline nor increase. This, bhikkhus, I call standing still in wholesome dhammas, not decline, not growth. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that there is standing still in wholesome dhammas, not decline, not growth.
And how, bhikkhus, is there growth in wholesome dhammas, not standing still, not decline? Here, bhikkhus, to whatever extent a bhikkhu possesses faith, virtue, learning, generosity, wisdom, and discernment, those qualities of his neither remain steady nor decline. This, bhikkhus, I call growth in wholesome dhammas, not standing still, not decline. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that there is growth in wholesome dhammas, not standing still, not decline. If, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is not skilled in the ways of others' minds, then: "We shall be skilled in the ways of our own minds" — thus indeed, bhikkhus, should you train.
And how, bhikkhus, is one skilled in the ways of one's own mind? Suppose, bhikkhus, a woman or a man, young, youthful, fond of adornment, examining the image of his or her own face in a clean, bright mirror or in a bowl of clear water: if he or she sees any dust or blemish there, he or she strives to remove that very dust or blemish; but if he or she sees no dust or blemish there, then for that very reason he or she is pleased, with wishes fulfilled: "It is a gain for me indeed! It is clean for me indeed!" In just the same way, bhikkhus, self-examination is of great help to a bhikkhu with regard to wholesome dhammas: "Do I often dwell covetous? Do I often dwell without covetousness? Do I often dwell with a mind of ill will? Do I often dwell with a mind free of ill will? Do I often dwell overcome by dullness and drowsiness? Do I often dwell free of dullness and drowsiness? Do I often dwell restless? Do I often dwell without restlessness? Do I often dwell in doubt? Do I often dwell having crossed beyond doubt? Do I often dwell angry? Do I often dwell without anger? Do I often dwell with a defiled mind? Do I often dwell with an undefiled mind? Do I often dwell with an agitated body? Do I often dwell with an unagitated body? Do I often dwell lazy? Do I often dwell with energy aroused? Do I often dwell unconcentrated? 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 in 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 exert extraordinary desire, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, unflagging perseverance, mindfulness, and clear comprehension for the abandoning of those very evil, unwholesome dhammas. Just as, bhikkhus, a person whose clothes or head were ablaze would exert extraordinary desire, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, unflagging perseverance, mindfulness, and clear comprehension for the extinguishing of that fire on his clothes or head, in just the same way, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu should exert extraordinary desire, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, unflagging perseverance, mindfulness, and clear comprehension for the abandoning of those very evil, unwholesome dhammas.
But if, bhikkhus, when examining himself, a bhikkhu knows thus: "I often dwell without covetousness, I often dwell with a mind free of ill will, I often dwell free of dullness and drowsiness, I often dwell having crossed beyond 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 very wholesome dhammas, should make further effort for the destruction of the taints (āsava).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.