an.2.19 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

2.18–19

2.19. Skillful

“Abandon what is unskillful, monks. It is possible to abandon what is unskillful. If it were not possible to abandon what is unskillful, I would not say to you, ‘Abandon what is unskillful.’ But because it is possible to abandon what is unskillful, I say to you, ‘Abandon what is unskillful.’ If this abandoning of what is unskillful were conducive to harm and pain, I would not say to you, ‘Abandon what is unskillful.’ But because this abandoning of what is unskillful is conducive to benefit and pleasure, I say to you, ‘Abandon what is unskillful.’

“Develop what is skillful, monks. It is possible to develop what is skillful. If it were not possible to develop what is skillful, I would not say to you, ‘Develop what is skillful.’ But because it is possible to develop what is skillful, I say to you, ‘Develop what is skillful.’ If this development of what is skillful were conducive to harm and pain, I would not say to you, ‘Develop what is skillful.’ But because this development of what is skillful is conducive to benefit and pleasure, I say to you, ‘Develop what is skillful.’”

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera

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19
“Mendicants, give up the unskillful.
It is possible to give up the unskillful.
If it wasn’t possible, I wouldn’t say:
‘Give up the unskillful.’
But it is possible, and so I say:
‘Give up the unskillful.’
And if giving up the unskillful led to harm and suffering, I would not say:
‘Give up the unskillful.’
But giving up the unskillful leads to welfare and happiness, so I say:
‘Give up the unskillful.’
Mendicants, develop the skillful.
It is possible to develop the skillful.
If it wasn’t possible, I wouldn’t say:
‘Develop the skillful.’
But it is possible, and so I say:
‘Develop the skillful.’
If developing the skillful led to harm and suffering I wouldn’t say:
‘Develop the skillful.’
But developing the skillful leads to welfare and happiness, so I say:
‘Develop the skillful.’”