Chapter Three

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Mendicants, sentient beings join together and converge because of an element:

Those who have inferior convictions join together and converge with those who have inferior convictions.

Those who have good convictions join together and converge with those who have good convictions.

In the past …

In the future …

At present, too, sentient beings join together and converge because of an element.

Those who have inferior convictions join together and converge with those who have inferior convictions.

Those who have good convictions join together and converge with those who have good convictions.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“Socializing creates a snarl;

they’re cut off by being aloof.

If you’re lost in the middle of a great sea,

and you clamber up on a little log, you’ll sink.

So too, a person who lives well

sinks by relying on a lazy person.

Hence you should avoid such

a lazy person who lacks energy.

Dwell with the noble ones

who are secluded and determined

constantly energetic,

the astute who practice absorption.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.