Ouick and careful attention to meritorious things

Bhikkhus, these four persons are evident in the world. What four?

One seeking his own good, not another's, one seeking the good of others, not his own, the one neither seeking his own good nor another's and the one seeking his own good and the good of others.

Bhikkhus, how does a person fall to the method of seeking his own good and not another's?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person has the quick, careful attention to meritorious things bears the Teaching he has heard, finds meanings in the words and their relevance in the Teaching, and falls to the method of practicing the Teaching. He does not speak polite words, clearly, without swallowing words in explaining the meaning, advising, and instructing and does not win the hearts of the co-associates in the holy life.

Bhikkhus, this person falls to the method of seeking his own good and not the good of others.

Bhikkhus, how does a person fall to the method of seeking the good of others and not his own?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person does not have the quick careful attention to meritorious things does not bear the Teaching he has heard, does not find meanings in the words and their relevance in the Teaching, and does not fall to the method of practicing the Teaching. He speaks polite words, clearly, without swallowing words, in explaining the meaning, advising, and instructing and wins the hearts of the co-associates in the holy life.

Bhikkhus, this person falls to the method of seeking the good of others and not his own good.

Bhikkhus, how does a person fall to the method of seeking neither his own good nor the good of another?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person does not have the quick careful attention to meritorious things, does not bear the Teaching he has heard, does not find meanings in the words and their relevance in the Teaching, and does not fall to the method of practicing the Teaching. He does not speak polite words, clearly, without swallowing words, in explaining the meaning, advising, and instructing and does not win the hearts of the co-associates in the holy life.

Bhikkhus, this person falls to the method of neither seeking his own good nor the good of others.

Bhikkhus, how does a person fall to the method of seeking his own good as well as the good of others?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person has the quick careful attention to meritorious things, bears the Teaching he has heard, finds meanings in the words and their relevance in the Teaching, and falls to the method of practicing the Teaching. He speaks polite words, clearly, without swallowing words, in explaining the meaning, advising, and instructing and wins the hearts of the co-associates in the holy life.

Bhikkhus, this person falls to the method of seeking his own good as well as the good of others.

Bhikkhus, these four persons are evident in the world.