Discourse on Quick To Attend To

Bhikkhus, there are these four kinds of persons found existing in the world. What four?

And how, bhikkhus, does a person practice for one's own benefit, but not for the benefit of others? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is quick to attend to skillful mental qualities, who remembers learned teachings, who investigates the implications of teachings, practicing the teachings properly; yet, he is not articulate in beneficial speech nor skilled in friendly and clear communication, and does not show, encourage, inspire, or applaud his fellow spiritual companions. Thus, bhikkhus, a person practices for one's own benefit, not for the benefit of others.

And how, bhikkhus, does a person practice for the benefit of others, not for one's own benefit? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is not quick to attend to skillful mental qualities, nor does he remember learned teachings, nor does he investigate the implications of teachings, nor practices the teachings properly; but he is articulate in beneficial speech, skilled in friendly and clear communication, and shows, encourages, inspires, and applauds his fellow spiritual companions. Thus, bhikkhus, a person practices for the benefit of others, not for one's own benefit.

And how, bhikkhus, does a person practice neither for one's own benefit nor for the benefit of others? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is neither quick to attend to skillful mental qualities, nor remembers learned teachings, nor investigates the implications of teachings, nor practices the teachings properly; nor is he articulate in beneficial speech, skilled in friendly and clear communication, and does not show, encourage, inspire, or applaud his spiritual companions. Thus, bhikkhus, a person practices neither for one's own benefit nor for the benefit of others.

And how, bhikkhus, does a person practice both for one's own benefit and for the benefit of others? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is quick to attend to skillful mental qualities, remembers learned teachings, investigates the implications of teachings, practicing the teachings properly; and he is articulate in beneficial speech, skilled in friendly and clear communication, and shows, encourages, inspires, and applauds his fellow spiritual companions. Thus, bhikkhus, a person practices both for one's own benefit and for the benefit of others.

These, bhikkhus, are the four kinds of persons found existing in the world.