“These three individuals are found in the world. “Tayome, bhikkhave, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. What three? Katame tayo? There is an individual you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend. Atthi, bhikkhave, puggalo na sevitabbo na bhajitabbo na payirupāsitabbo. There is an individual you should associate with, accompany, and attend. Atthi, bhikkhave, puggalo sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo. There is an individual you should associate with, accompany, and attend with honor and respect. Atthi, bhikkhave, puggalo sakkatvā garuṁ katvā sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo.

Who is the individual you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend? Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo na sevitabbo na bhajitabbo na payirupāsitabbo? It’s an individual who is inferior in terms of ethics, immersion, and wisdom. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo hīno hoti sīlena samādhinā paññāya. You shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend such an individual, except out of kindness and sympathy. Evarūpo, bhikkhave, puggalo na sevitabbo na bhajitabbo na payirupāsitabbo aññatra anuddayā aññatra anukampā.

Who is the individual you should associate with, accompany, and attend? Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo? It’s an individual who is similar in terms of ethics, immersion, and wisdom. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo sadiso hoti sīlena samādhinā paññāya. You should associate with, accompany, and attend such an individual. Evarūpo, bhikkhave, puggalo sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo. Why is that? Taṁ kissa hetu? Thinking, ‘Since our ethical conduct is similar, we can discuss ethics, the conversation will flow, and we’ll both be at ease. Sīlasāmaññagatānaṁ sataṁ sīlakathā ca no bhavissati, sā ca no pavattinī bhavissati, sā ca no phāsu bhavissati. Since our immersion is similar, we can discuss immersion, the conversation will flow, and we’ll both be at ease. Samādhisāmaññagatānaṁ sataṁ samādhikathā ca no bhavissati, sā ca no pavattinī bhavissati, sā ca no phāsu bhavissati. Since our wisdom is similar, we can discuss wisdom, the conversation will flow, and we’ll both be at ease.’ Paññāsāmaññagatānaṁ sataṁ paññākathā ca no bhavissati, sā ca no pavattinī bhavissati, sā ca no phāsu bhavissatīti. That’s why you should associate with, accompany, and attend such an individual. Tasmā evarūpo puggalo sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo.

Who is the individual you should associate with, accompany, and attend with honor and respect? Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo sakkatvā garuṁ katvā sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo? It’s an individual who is superior in terms of ethics, immersion, and wisdom. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo adhiko hoti sīlena samādhinā paññāya. You should associate with, accompany, and attend such an individual with honor and respect. Evarūpo, bhikkhave, puggalo sakkatvā garuṁ katvā sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo. Why is that? Taṁ kissa hetu? Thinking, ‘I’ll fulfill the entire spectrum of ethical conduct I haven’t yet fulfilled, or support with wisdom in every situation the ethical conduct I’ve already fulfilled. Iti aparipūraṁ vā sīlakkhandhaṁ paripūressāmi, paripūraṁ vā sīlakkhandhaṁ tattha tattha paññāya anuggahessāmi; I’ll fulfill the entire spectrum of immersion I haven’t yet fulfilled, or support with wisdom in every situation the immersion I’ve already fulfilled. aparipūraṁ vā samādhikkhandhaṁ paripūressāmi, paripūraṁ vā samādhikkhandhaṁ tattha tattha paññāya anuggahessāmi; I’ll fulfill the entire spectrum of wisdom I haven’t yet fulfilled, or support with wisdom in every situation the wisdom I’ve already fulfilled.’ aparipūraṁ vā paññākkhandhaṁ paripūressāmi, paripūraṁ vā paññākkhandhaṁ tattha tattha paññāya anuggahessāmīti. That’s why you should associate with, accompany, and attend this individual with honor and respect. Tasmā evarūpo puggalo sakkatvā garuṁ katvā sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo.

These are the three individuals found in the world. Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasminti.

A man who associates with an inferior goes downhill, Nihīyati puriso nihīnasevī, but associating with an equal, you’ll never decline; Na ca hāyetha kadāci tulyasevī; following the best, you’ll quickly rise up, Seṭṭhamupanamaṁ udeti khippaṁ, so you should keep company <j>with people better than you.” Tasmā attano uttariṁ bhajethā”ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.