an.3.29 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Blind

“Bhikkhus, there are these three kinds of persons found existing in the world. What three? The blind person, the one-eyed person, and the two-eyed person.

(1) “And what, bhikkhus, is the blind person? Here, some person lacks the kind of eye with which one can acquire wealth not yet acquired and increase wealth already acquired, and he also lacks the kind of eye with which one can know wholesome and unwholesome qualities, blameworthy and blameless qualities, inferior and superior qualities, dark and bright qualities with their counterparts. This is called the blind person.

(2) “And what is the one-eyed person? Here, some person has the kind of eye with which one can acquire wealth not yet acquired and increase wealth already acquired, but he lacks the kind of eye with which one can know wholesome and unwholesome qualities, blameworthy and blameless qualities, inferior and superior qualities, dark and bright qualities with their counterparts. This is called the one-eyed person.

(3) “And what is the two-eyed person? Here, some person has the kind of eye with which one can acquire wealth not yet acquired and increase wealth already acquired, and he also has the kind of eye with which one can know wholesome and unwholesome qualities, blameworthy and blameless qualities, inferior and superior qualities, dark and bright qualities with their counterparts. This is called the two-eyed person.

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

He does not possess such wealth,
nor does he do deeds of merit;
the blind man destitute of eyes
casts an unlucky throw in both respects.

The person described as one-eyed
is a hypocrite who seeks wealth,
sometimes righteously
and sometimes unrighteously.

Both by thievish cheatful acts
and by means of false speech
the man indulging in sensual pleasures
is skilled in amassing wealth.
Having gone from here to hell,
the one-eyed person is tormented.

One with two eyes is said to be
the best kind of person.
His wealth is acquired by his own exertion,
with goods righteously gained.

With best intentions he then gives,
this person with an undivided mind.
He goes to rebirth in an excellent state
where, having gone, one does not sorrow.

One should avoid from afar
the blind one and the one-eyed person,
but should befriend the one with two eyes,
the best kind of person.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Blind

“These three kinds of people are found in the world.
What three?
The blind, the one-eyed, and the two-eyed.
Who is the blind person?
It’s someone who doesn’t have the kind of vision that’s needed to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth they’ve already acquired.
Nor do they have the kind of vision that’s needed to know the difference between qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those on the side of dark and bright.
This is called a blind person.
Who is the person with one eye?
It’s someone who has the kind of vision that’s needed to acquire more wealth and to increase the wealth they’ve already acquired.
But they don’t have the kind of vision that’s needed to know the difference between qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those on the side of dark and bright.
This is called a one-eyed person.
Who is the person with two eyes?
It’s someone who has the kind of vision that’s needed to acquire more wealth and to increase the wealth they’ve already acquired.
And they have the kind of vision that’s needed to know the difference between skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, or qualities on the side of dark and bright.

This is called a two-eyed person.
These are the three people found in the world.
Neither suitable wealth,
nor merit do they make.
They lose on both counts,
those who are blind, with ruined eyes.
And now the one-eyed
person is explained.
By methods good and bad,
that devious person seeks wealth.
Both by fraudulent, thieving deeds,
and also by lies,
the young man’s skilled at piling up money,
and enjoying sensual pleasures.
From here they go to hell—
the one-eyed person is ruined.
And now the two-eyed is explained,
the best individual.
Their wealth is earned legitimately,
money acquired by their own hard work.
They give with best of intentions,
that peaceful-hearted person.
They go to a good place,
where there is no sorrow.
The blind and the one-eyed,
you should avoid from afar.
But you should keep the two-eyed close,
the best individual.”