an.5.178 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Kings

“What do you think, mendicants?
Have you ever seen or heard
of a person who has given up killing living creatures,
and then the kings have them arrested for that, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires?”
“No, sir.”
“Good, mendicants!
I too have never seen or heard of such a thing.


Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed:
‘This person has murdered a man or a woman.’
Then the kings have them arrested for killing, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires.
Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?”
“Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”
“What do you think, mendicants?
Have you ever seen or heard
of a person who has given up stealing,
and then the kings have them arrested for that …?”
“No, sir.”
“Good, mendicants!
I too have never seen or heard of such a thing.


Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed:
‘This person took something from a village or wilderness, with the intention to commit theft.’
Then the kings have them arrested for stealing …
Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?”
“Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”
“What do you think, mendicants?
Have you ever seen or heard
of a person who has given up sexual misconduct,
and then the kings have them arrested for that …?”
“No, sir.”
“Good, mendicants!
I too have never seen or heard of such a thing.


Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed:
‘This person had sexual relations with women or maidens under someone else’s protection.’
Then the kings have them arrested for that …
Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?”
“Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”
“What do you think, mendicants?
Have you ever seen or heard
of a person who has given up lying,
and then the kings have them arrested for that …?”
“No, sir.”
“Good, mendicants!
I too have never seen or heard of such a thing.


Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed:
‘This person has ruined a householder or householder’s child by lying.’
Then the kings have them arrested for that …
Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?”
“Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”
“What do you think, mendicants?
Have you ever seen or heard
of a person who has given up alcoholic drinks that cause negligence,
and then the kings have them arrested for that, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires?”
“No, sir.”
“Good, mendicants!
I too have never seen or heard of such a thing.


Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed:
‘While under the influence of alcoholic drinks that cause negligence, this person murdered a woman or a man.
Or they stole something from a village or wilderness.
Or they had sexual relations with women or maidens under someone else’s protection.
Or they ruined a householder or householder’s child by lying.’
Then the kings have them arrested for being under the influence of alcoholic drinks that cause negligence, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires.
Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?”
“Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”