[219] 4. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant — so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, those beings are utterly deprived who are deprived of noble wisdom (ariyā paññā). In this very life they dwell in suffering (dukkha), with vexation, with despair, with fever; and with the breakup of the body, after death, a bad destination is to be expected. Bhikkhus, those beings are not deprived who are not deprived of noble wisdom. In this very life they dwell in happiness, without vexation, without despair, without fever; and with the breakup of the body, after death, a good destination is to be expected."
The Blessed One spoke this meaning. In that connection this is said:
"Through the falling away of wisdom,
behold the world with its devas:
settled in name-and-form (nāmarūpa),
it conceives, 'This is truth.'
Wisdom indeed is supreme in the world,
that which leads to penetration;
and it rightly understands
the utter destruction of birth and existence.
Devas and humans
hold dear those awakened ones (sambuddhā),
possessed of mindfulness (sati), of joyous wisdom,
bearers of their final bodies."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One — so I have heard.
The fourth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.