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an.3.26 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

To be Associated With

“Bhikkhus, there are these three kinds of persons found existing in the world. What three? (1) There is a person who is not to be associated with, followed, and served; (2) a person who is to be associated with, followed, and served; and (3) a person who is to be associated with, followed, and served with honor and respect.

(1) “And what kind of person, bhikkhus, is not to be associated with, followed, and served? Here, some person is inferior to oneself in virtuous behavior, concentration, and wisdom. Such a person is not to be associated with, followed, and served except out of sympathy and compassion.

(2) “And what kind of person is to be associated with, followed, and served? Here, some person is similar to oneself in virtuous behavior, concentration, and wisdom. Such a person is to be associated with, followed, and served. For what reason? Because one considers: ‘Since we are similar with regard to virtuous behavior, we will have a discussion on virtuous behavior, and it will flow on smoothly between us, and we will feel at ease. Since we are similar with regard to concentration, we will have a discussion on concentration, and it will flow on smoothly between us, and we will feel at ease. Since we are similar with regard to wisdom, we will have a discussion on wisdom, and it will flow on smoothly between us, and we will feel at ease.’ Therefore such a person is to be associated with, followed, and served.

(3) “And what kind of person is to be associated with, followed, and served with honor and respect? Here, some person is superior to oneself in virtuous behavior, concentration, and wisdom. Such a person is to be associated with, followed, and served with honor and respect. For what reason? Because one considers: ‘In such a way I will fulfill the aggregate of virtuous behavior that I have not yet fulfilled or assist with wisdom in various respects the aggregate of virtuous behavior that I have fulfilled. I will fulfill the aggregate of concentration that I have not yet fulfilled or assist with wisdom in various respects the aggregate of concentration that I have fulfilled. I will fulfill the aggregate of wisdom that I have not yet fulfilled or assist with wisdom in various respects the aggregate of wisdom that I have fulfilled.’ Therefore such a person is to be associated with, followed, and served with honor and respect.

“These, bhikkhus, are the three kinds of persons found existing in the world.”

One who associates with an inferior person declines;
one who associates with an equal does not decline;
attending on a superior person one develops quickly;
therefore you should follow one superior to yourself.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

Associates

“These three people are found in the world.
What three?
There is a person you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend.
There is a person you should associate with, accompany, and attend.
There is a person you should associate with, accompany, and attend with honor and respect.
Who is the person you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend?
It’s someone who is inferior in terms of ethics, immersion, and wisdom.
You shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend such a person, except out of kindness and compassion.
Who is the person you should associate with, accompany, and attend?
It’s someone who is similar in terms of ethics, immersion, and wisdom.
You should associate with, accompany, and attend such a person.
Why is that?
Thinking, ‘Since our ethical conduct is similar, we can discuss ethics, the conversation will flow, and we’ll both be at ease.
Since our immersion is similar, we can discuss immersion, the conversation will flow, and we’ll both be at ease.
Since our wisdom is similar, we can discuss wisdom, the conversation will flow, and we’ll both be at ease.’
That’s why you should associate with, accompany, and attend such a person.
Who is the person you should associate with, accompany, and attend with honor and respect?
It’s someone who is superior in terms of ethics, immersion, and wisdom.
You should associate with, accompany, and attend such a person with honor and respect.
Why is that?
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.
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.
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.’
That’s why you should associate with, accompany, and attend this person with honor and respect.
These are the three people found in the world.
A man who associates with an inferior goes downhill,
but associating with an equal, you’ll never decline;
following the best, you’ll quickly rise up,
so you should keep company with people better than you.”