sn.1.74 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Rain

“What’s the best of things that rise?
And what’s the finest of things that fall?
And what of the things that go forth?
And who’s the finest speaker?”
“A seed’s the best of things that rise.
Rain’s the finest thing that falls.
Cattle, of things that go forth.
And a child is the finest speaker.”
“Knowledge is best of things that rise.
Ignorance the finest thing that falls.
The Saṅgha, of things that go forth.
And the Buddha is the finest speaker.”