A Master Thief

“Mendicants, a master thief with five factors breaks into houses, plunders wealth, steals from isolated buildings, and commits highway robbery.

What five?

A master thief relies on rough ground, on thick cover, and on the powerful; they pay bribes, and they act alone.

And how does a master thief rely on rough ground?

It’s when a master thief relies on inaccessible riverlands or rugged mountains.

That’s how a master thief relies on rough ground.

And how does a master thief rely on thick cover?

It’s when a master thief relies on thick grass, thick trees, a blind spot, or a large forest grove.

That’s how a master thief relies on thick cover.

And how does a master thief rely on the powerful?

It’s when a master thief relies on rulers or their chief ministers.

They think:

‘If anyone accuses me of anything, these rulers or their chief ministers will speak in my defense in the case.’

And that’s exactly what happens.

That’s how a master thief relies on the powerful.

And how does a master thief pay bribes?

It’s when a master thief is rich, affluent, and wealthy.

They think:

‘If anyone accuses me of anything, I’ll settle it with a bribe.’

And that’s exactly what happens.

That’s how a master thief pays bribes.

And how does a master thief act alone?

It’s when a master thief carries out robbery all alone.

Why is that?

So that their secret plans are not leaked to others.

That’s how a master thief acts alone.

A master thief with these five factors breaks into houses, plunders wealth, steals from isolated buildings, and commits highway robbery.

In the same way, when a bad mendicant has five qualities, they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.

What five?

A bad mendicant relies on rough ground, on thick cover, and on the powerful; they pay bribes, and they act alone.

And how does a bad mendicant rely on rough ground?

It’s when a bad mendicant has unethical conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.

That’s how a bad mendicant relies on rough ground.

And how does a bad mendicant rely on thick cover?

It’s when a bad mendicant has wrong view, he’s attached to an extremist view.

That’s how a bad mendicant relies on thick cover.

And how does a bad mendicant rely on the powerful?

It’s when a bad mendicant relies on rulers or their chief ministers.

They think:

‘If anyone accuses me of anything, these rulers or their chief ministers will speak in my defense in the case.’

And that’s exactly what happens.

That’s how a bad mendicant relies on the powerful.

And how does a bad mendicant pay bribes?

It’s when a bad mendicant receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

They think:

‘If anyone accuses me of anything, I’ll settle it with a bribe.’

And that’s exactly what happens.

That’s how a bad mendicant pays bribes.

And how does a bad mendicant act alone?

It’s when a bad mendicant dwells alone in the borderlands.

They visit families there to acquire material things.

That’s how a bad mendicant acts alone.

When a bad mendicant possesses these five qualities, they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much wickedness.”