“Mendicants, these four individuals are found in the world. What four?
- One who practices to benefit themselves, but not others;
- one who practices to benefit others, but not themselves;
- one who practices to benefit neither themselves nor others; and
- one who practices to benefit both themselves and others.
And how does an individual practice to benefit themselves, but not others? It’s when an individual is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings. They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard. They examine the meaning of teachings they’ve memorized. Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching. But they’re not a good speaker and do not enunciate well. Their voice isn’t polished, clear, articulate, and doesn’t express the meaning. They don’t educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions. That’s how an individual practices to benefit themselves, but not others.
And how does an individual practice to benefit others, but not themselves? It’s when an individual is not quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings. … But they’re a good speaker. … That’s how an individual practices to benefit others, but not themselves.
And how does an individual practice to benefit neither themselves nor others? It’s when an individual is not quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings. … Nor are they a good speaker. … That’s how an individual practices to benefit neither themselves nor others.
And how does an individual practice to benefit both themselves and others? It’s when an individual is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings. … And they’re a good speaker. … That’s how an individual practices to benefit both themselves and others.
These are the four individuals found in the world.”