[830] S. Is not virtue (sīla) restraint (saṃvara) from non-restraint (asaṃvara)? Is there restraint among the devas (deva)?
P. Yes.
S. Is there among the devas that non-restraint, restraint from which is virtue?
P. It should not be said thus.
S. Acknowledge the refutation (niggaha). If virtue is restraint from non-restraint, and there is restraint among the devas, then indeed, good sir, it should be said, "There is among the devas that non-restraint, restraint from which is virtue." What you say there — that it should indeed be said, "Virtue is restraint from non-restraint; there is restraint among the devas," but it should not be said, "There is among the devas that non-restraint, restraint from which is virtue" — is wrong. But if it should not be said, "There is among the devas that non-restraint, restraint from which is virtue," then indeed, good sir, it should not be said, "Virtue is restraint from non-restraint; there is restraint among the devas." What you say there — that it should indeed be said, "Virtue is restraint from non-restraint; there is restraint among the devas," but it should not be said, "There is among the devas that non-restraint, restraint from which is virtue" — is wrong.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.