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HIS SERMONS
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or clan, and despises his own kinsmen—this is the seventh cause of one’s downfall.
“The man who is a debauchee, drunkard, a gambler, who squanders whatever he possesses—this is the eighth cause of one’s downfall.
“Not contented with one’s own wives, if one is seen amongst courtesans and the wives of others —this is the ninth cause of one’s downfall.
“He who places in authority an intemperate spend-thrift woman, or a man of similar nature—this is the eleventh cause of one’s downfall.
“He who, of slender means, but vast ambition, of warrior birth, aspires to sovereignty—this is the twelfth cause of one’s downfall.
“Know these causes of downfall, ye noble Deva, and if ye succeed in overcoming them ye will be saved.”
§ 2. The Wicked Man
The Blessed Lord while he was on journey gave as was his usual practice the following discourse to the Bhikkhus who were accompanying him.
Addressing the Bhikkhus the Lord said : “Do you know how to recognize a wicked man ?” “No, Lord” replied the Bhikkhus.
“I will tell you the characteristics of a wicked man.
“There is a man who shows up the faults of another even when unasked, not to say when asked. Being indeed asked and plied with questions, he speaks ill of another without suppressing or concealing, but with full details. Brethren, such a man is a wicked man.
“There is a man who, being asked, does not point out the good qualities of another, not to say when unasked. Being indeed asked and plied with questions, he speaks, well of another.
“There is a man who, being asked, does not disclose his own bad qualities, not to say when unasked. Being indeed asked and plied with questions, he points out his own bad qualities, but suppresses and conceals
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