“When someone indulges in sex,” “Methunamanuyuttassa, said Venerable Tissametteyya, (iccāyasmā tisso metteyyo) “tell us, good fellow: what trouble befalls them? Vighātaṁ brūhi mārisa; After hearing your instruction, Sutvāna tava sāsanaṁ, we shall train in seclusion.” Viveke sikkhissāmase”.

“When someone indulges in sex,” “Methunamanuyuttassa, replied the Buddha, (metteyyāti bhagavā) “they forget their instructions Mussate vāpi sāsanaṁ; and go the wrong way—Micchā ca paṭipajjati, that is something ignoble in them. Etaṁ tasmiṁ anāriyaṁ.

Someone who formerly lived alone Eko pubbe caritvāna, and then resorts to sex methunaṁ yo nisevati; is like a chariot careening off-track; Yānaṁ bhantaṁva taṁ loke, in the world they call them a low, ordinary person. hīnamāhu puthujjanaṁ.

Their former fame and reputation Yaso kitti ca yā pubbe, also fall away. hāyate vāpi tassa sā; Seeing this, they’d train Etampi disvā sikkhetha, to give up sex. methunaṁ vippahātave.

Oppressed by thoughts, Saṅkappehi pareto so, they brood like a wretch. kapaṇo viya jhāyati; When they hear what others are saying, Sutvā paresaṁ nigghosaṁ, that sort is embarrassed. maṅku hoti tathāvidho.

Then they lash out with verbal daggers Atha satthāni kurute, when reproached by others. paravādehi codito; This is their great blind spot; Esa khvassa mahāgedho, they sink to lies. mosavajjaṁ pagāhati.

They once were considered astute, Paṇḍitoti samaññāto, committed to the solitary life. ekacariyaṁ adhiṭṭhito; But then they indulged in sex, Athāpi methune yutto, dragged along by desire like a dullard. mandova parikissati.

Knowing this danger Etamādīnavaṁ ñatvā, in falling from a former state here, Muni pubbāpare idha; a sage would firmly resolve to wander alone, Ekacariyaṁ daḷhaṁ kayirā, and would not resort to sex. Na nisevetha methunaṁ.

They’d train themselves only in seclusion; Vivekaññeva sikkhetha, this, for the noble ones, is highest. etaṁ ariyānamuttamaṁ; One who’d not think themselves ‘best’ due to that Na tena seṭṭho maññetha, has truly drawn near to extinguishment. sa ve nibbānasantike.

People tied to sensual pleasures envy them: Rittassa munino carato, the isolated, wandering sage Kāmesu anapekkhino; who has crossed the flood, Oghatiṇṇassa pihayanti, unconcerned for sensual pleasures.” Kāmesu gadhitā pajā”ti.