[271] Bhikkhus, this is the lowest among livelihoods, namely, the gathering of alms (piṇḍolya). And this, bhikkhus, is a term of derision in the world: "You wander about as an alms-gatherer, bowl in hand!" And yet, bhikkhus, it is this very [way of life] that clansmen (kulaputta) take up, moved by good purpose, in dependence upon purpose — not compelled by kings, not compelled by robbers, not oppressed by debt, not oppressed by fear, nor because their livelihood has failed — but rather [with the thought]: "We are immersed in birth (jāti), in aging and death (jarā-maraṇa), in sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair (soka, parideva, dukkha, domanassa, upāyāsa); we are immersed in suffering (dukkha), oppressed by suffering. Perhaps the making of an end of this entire mass of suffering may be discerned!" Yet this clansman, bhikkhus, gone forth in this way, is covetous (abhijjhālu), fiercely lustful for sensual pleasures, with a mind (citta) of ill will (byāpāda), with the intentions of his mind corrupted, muddled in mindfulness (sati), not clearly comprehending, unconcentrated, with a straying mind, his faculties (indriya) unrestrained. Just as, bhikkhus, a brand from a funeral pyre, ablaze at both ends and smeared in the middle with dung, serves the purpose of timber neither in the village nor in the forest — even so, bhikkhus, do I declare this person to be: he has fallen away from a householder's enjoyments, and he does not fulfill the goal of the ascetic life.
The Blessed One spoke this meaning. In that connection this is said:
"Fallen away from a householder's enjoyments,
and luckless as to the goal of the ascetic life,
coming to ruin, he casts it away —
he perishes like a brand from a funeral pyre.
Better that an iron ball be swallowed,
glowing hot, a very crest of flame,
than that one immoral and unrestrained
should eat the almsfood of the realm."
The Second [Sutta].
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.