an.3.27 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Disgust

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

(1) “And what kind of person, bhikkhus, is to be looked upon with disgust, not to be associated with, followed, and served? Here, some person is immoral, of bad character, impure, of suspect behavior, secretive in his actions, not an ascetic though claiming to be one, not a celibate though claiming to be one, inwardly rotten, corrupt, depraved. Such a person is to be looked upon with disgust, not to be associated with, followed, and served. For what reason? Even though one does not follow the example of such a person, a bad report still circulates about oneself: ‘He has bad friends, bad companions, bad comrades.’ Just as a snake that has passed through feces, though it does not bite one, would smear one, so too, though one does not follow the example of such a person, a bad report still circulates about oneself: ‘He has bad friends, bad companions, bad comrades.’ Therefore such a person is to be looked upon with disgust, not to be associated with, followed, and served.

(2) “And what kind of person is to be looked upon with equanimity, not to be associated with, followed, and served? Here, some person is prone to anger and easily exasperated. Even if he is criticized slightly he loses his temper and becomes irritated, hostile, and stubborn; he displays irritation, hatred, and bitterness. Just as a festering sore, if struck by a stick or a shard, will discharge even more matter, so too … Just as a firebrand of the tinduka tree, if struck by a stick or shard, will sizzle and crackle even more, so too … Just as a pit of feces, if struck by a stick or a shard, becomes even more foul-smelling, so too some person here is prone to anger and … displays irritation, hatred, and bitterness. Such a person is to be looked upon with equanimity, not to be associated with, followed, and served. For what reason? With the thought: ‘He might insult me, revile me, and do me harm.’ Therefore such a person is to be looked upon with equanimity, not to be associated with, followed, and served.

(3) “And what kind of person is to be associated with, followed, and served? Here, some person is virtuous and of good character. Such a person is to be associated with, followed, and served. For what reason? Even though one does not follow the example of such a person, a good report still circulates about oneself: ‘He has good friends, good companions, good comrades.’ Therefore such a person is to be associated with, followed, and served.

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

A verse is attached identical with that in 3:26.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

You Should be Disgusted

“These three people are found in the world.
What three?
There is a person who you should be disgusted by, and you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend them.
There is a person you should regard with equanimity, and you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend them.
There is a person you should associate with, accompany, and attend.
Who is the person you should be disgusted by, and not associate with, accompany, or attend?
It’s a person who is unethical, of bad qualities, filthy, with suspicious behavior, underhand, no true ascetic or spiritual practitioner—though claiming to be one—rotten inside, corrupt, and depraved.
You should be disgusted by such a person, and you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend them.
Why is that?
Even if you don’t follow the example of such a person, you still get a bad reputation:
‘That individual has bad friends, companions, and associates.’
They’re like a snake that’s been living in a pile of dung. Even if it doesn’t bite, it’ll still rub off on you.
In the same way, even if you don’t follow the example of such a person, you still get a bad reputation:
‘That individual has bad friends, companions, and associates.’
That’s why you should be disgusted by such a person, and you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend them.
Who is the person you should regard with equanimity, and not associate with, accompany, or attend?
It’s a person who is irritable and bad-tempered.
Even when lightly criticized they lose their temper, becoming annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, and they display annoyance, hate, and bitterness.
They’re like a festering sore, which, when you hit it with a stick or a stone, discharges even more.
In the same way, someone is irritable and bad-tempered.
They’re like a firebrand of pale-moon ebony, which, when you hit it with a stick or a stone, sizzles and crackles even more.
In the same way, someone is irritable and bad-tempered.
They’re like a sewer, which, when you stir it with a stick or a stone, stinks even more.
In the same way, someone is irritable and bad-tempered.
Even when lightly criticized they lose their temper, becoming annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, and they display annoyance, hate, and bitterness.
You should regard such a person with equanimity, and you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend them.
Why is that?
Thinking, ‘They might abuse or insult me, or do me harm.’
That’s why you should regard such a person with equanimity, and you shouldn’t associate with, accompany, or attend them.
Who is the person you should associate with, accompany, and attend?
It’s someone who is ethical, of good character.
You should associate with, accompany, and attend such a person.
Why is that?
Even if you don’t follow the example of such a person, you still get a good reputation:
‘That individual has good friends, companions, and associates.’
That’s why you should associate with, accompany, and attend such a person.
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.”