[257] 10. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, these three things (dhammā) lead to the decline of a bhikkhu who is a learner (sekha). What three? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who is a learner delights in work (kammārāma), is fond of work, and is devoted to delight in work; he delights in talk (bhassa), is fond of talk, and is devoted to delight in talk; he delights in sleep (niddā), is fond of sleep, and is devoted to delight in sleep. These, bhikkhus, are the three things that lead to the decline of a bhikkhu who is a learner.
"Bhikkhus, these three things lead to the non-decline of a bhikkhu who is a learner. What three? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who is a learner does not delight in work, is not fond of work, and is not devoted to delight in work; he does not delight in talk, is not fond of talk, and is not devoted to delight in talk; he does not delight in sleep, is not fond of sleep, and is not devoted to delight in sleep. These, bhikkhus, are the three things that lead to the non-decline of a bhikkhu who is a learner."
The Blessed One spoke this meaning. In that connection this is said:
"Delighting in work, fond of talk,¹
delighting in sleep, and restless —
such a bhikkhu is incapable
of touching the supreme awakening (sambodhi).
"Therefore let him be of few duties,
of little drowsiness, not restless —
such a bhikkhu is capable
of touching the supreme awakening."
¹ Variant: the Burmese edition reads *bhassārāmo* ("delighting in talk").
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One; so I have heard. The tenth [sutta].
The Third Chapter.
Its summary (uddāna):
The two on views, escape, form (rūpa),
son, and the one on the rainless cloud;
happiness, breaking, element (dhātu),
and the one on decline — these are the ten.
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In the Itivuttaka: the Fourth Chapter of the Section of the Threes (Tikanipāta).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.