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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

Beginning With Imprudence

SN 14.20 · Anottappamūlakasutta

A small clear wave washes across smooth shoreline pebbles.

At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, sentient beings join together and converge because of an element: the imprudent with the imprudent … unlearned … witless. The prudent with the prudent … learned … wise.

… the imprudent with the imprudent … lazy … witless. The prudent with the prudent … energetic … wise.

… the imprudent with the imprudent … unmindful … witless. The prudent with the prudent … mindful … wise.”

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Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.