[256] 9. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, it is by way of elements (dhātu) that beings come together and unite with beings: beings of inferior disposition come together and unite with beings of inferior disposition; beings of good disposition come together and unite with beings of good disposition. In the past time too, bhikkhus, it was by way of elements that beings came together and united with beings: beings of inferior disposition came together and united with beings of inferior disposition; beings of good disposition came together and united with beings of good disposition. In the future time too, bhikkhus, it will be by way of elements that beings will come together and unite with beings: beings of inferior disposition will come together and unite with beings of inferior disposition; beings of good disposition will come together and unite with beings of good disposition. Now too, bhikkhus, in the present time, it is by way of elements that beings come together and unite with beings: beings of inferior disposition come together and unite with beings of inferior disposition; beings of good disposition come together and unite with beings of good disposition."
The Blessed One spoke this meaning. In this connection it is said:
"From association a thicket is born;
by non-association it is cut down.
Just as one who has climbed upon a small log
would sink in the great ocean,
so too, by relying on one who is lazy,
even one who lives well sinks.
Therefore one should avoid him,
the lazy one deficient in energy.
One should dwell together with the noble ones,
who are secluded, resolute, meditative,
constantly of aroused energy, wise."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One; so I have heard. The ninth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.