an.3.50 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

A Master Thief

“Mendicants, a master thief with three factors breaks into houses, plunders wealth, steals from isolated buildings, and commits highway robbery.
What three?
A master thief relies on uneven ground, on thick cover, and on powerful individuals.
And how does a master thief rely on uneven ground?
It’s when a master thief relies on inaccessible riverlands or rugged mountains.
That’s how a master thief relies on uneven ground.
And how does a master thief rely on thick cover?
It’s when a master thief relies on thick grass, thick trees, a ridge, or a large dense wood.
That’s how a master thief relies on thick cover.
And how does a master thief rely on powerful individuals?
It’s when a master thief relies on rulers or their ministers.
They think:
‘If anyone accuses me of anything, these rulers or their ministers will speak in my defense in the case.’
And that’s exactly what happens.
That’s how a master thief relies on powerful individuals.
A master thief with these three factors breaks into houses, plunders wealth, steals from isolated buildings, and commits highway robbery.
In the same way, when a bad mendicant has three factors, they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they make much bad karma.
What three?
A bad mendicant relies on uneven ground, on thick cover, and on powerful individuals.
And how does a bad mendicant rely on uneven ground?
It’s when a bad mendicant has unethical conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.
That’s how a bad mendicant relies on uneven ground.
And how does a bad mendicant rely on thick cover?
It’s when a bad mendicant has wrong view, he’s attached to an extremist view.
That’s how a bad mendicant relies on thick cover.
And how does a bad mendicant rely on powerful individuals?
It’s when a bad mendicant relies on rulers or their ministers.
They think:
‘If anyone accuses me of anything, these rulers or their ministers will speak in my defense in the case.’
And that’s exactly what happens.
That’s how a bad mendicant relies on powerful individuals.
When a bad mendicant has these three qualities, they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they make much bad karma.”