The king

Bhikkhus, would a man who abstained from destroying living things, for that reason be sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done, what he liked for the reason of abstaining from destroying living things? No, venerable sir.

Good! Bhikkhus, I too have not seen or heard of a man who abstained from destroying living things, for that reason, sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked for the reason of abstaining from destroying living things. Yet when this evil action is brought to his notice: This man has killed a woman or man, for that reason would that man be taken by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked. Bhikkhus, have you seen or heard of such a thing? Yes, venerable sir. We have seen and heard such things and will hear of such things.

Bhikkhus, would a man who abstained from taking the not given, for that reason be sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done, what he liked for the reason of abstaining from taking the not given? No, venerable sir.

Good! Bhikkhus, I too have not seen or heard of a man who abstained from taking the not given, for that reason, sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked for the reason of abstaining from taking the not given. Yet when this evil action is brought to his notice: This man has taken the not given in the village or forest, with a thievish mind, for that reason would that man be taken by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked. Bhikkhus, have you seen or heard of such a thing? Yes, venerable sir. We have seen and heard of such things and will hear of such things.

Bhikkhus, would a man who abstained from sexual misbehaviour, for that reason be sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done, what he liked for the reason of abstaining from sexual misbehaviour? No, venerable sir.

Good! Bhikkhus, I too have not seen or heard of a man who abstained from sexual misbehaviour, for that reason, sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked for the reason of abstaining from sexual misbehaviour. Yet when this evil action is brought to his notice: This man misbehaves with others' wives and girls, for that reason would that man be taken by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked. Bhikkhus, have you seen or heard of such a thing? Yes, venerable sir. We have seen and heard of such things and will hear of such things.

Bhikkhus, would a man who abstained from telling lies, for that reason be sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done, what he liked for the reason of abstaining from telling lies? No, venerable sir.

Good! Bhikkhus, I too have not seen or heard of a man who abstained from telling lies, for that reason, sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked for the reason of abstaining from telling lies. Yet when this evil action is brought to his notice: This man has destroyed the essential of a householder or the son of a householder telling lies, for that reason would that man be taken by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked. Bhikkhus, have you seen or heard of such a thing? Yes, venerable sir. We have seen and heard of such things and will hear of such things.

Bhikkhus, would a man who abstained from taking intoxicating and brewed drinks, for that reason be sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done, what he liked for the reason of abstaining from taking intoxicating and brewed drinks? No, venerable sir.

Good! Bhikkhus, I too have not seen or heard of a man who abstained from taking intoxicating and brewed drinks, for that reason, sued by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked, for the reason of abstaining from taking intoxicating and brewed drinks. Yet when this evil action is brought to his notice: This man has killed a woman or man or has taken the not given with a thievish mind in the village and forest or has gone to others' wives or girls or has destroyed the essence of a householder or a householders son by telling lies, having taken intoxicating and brewed drinks, for that reason would that man be taken by the king, killed, bound, exiled or done what he liked. Bhikkhus, have you seen or heard of such a thing? Yes, venerable sir. We have seen and heard of such things and will hear of such things.