“Mendicants, there are these four kinds of mice. What four? ~One makes a hole but doesn’t live in it, ~one lives in a hole but doesn’t make it, ~one neither makes a hole nor lives in it, and ~one both makes a hole and lives in it. These are the four kinds of mice. In the same way, these four people similar to mice are found in the world. What four? ~One makes a hole but doesn’t live in it, ~one lives in a hole but doesn’t make it, ~one neither makes a hole nor lives in it, and ~one both makes a hole and lives in it.

And how does a person make a hole but not live in it? It’s when a person memorizes the teaching— statements, songs, discussions, verses, inspired sayings, legends, stories of past lives, amazing stories, and analyses. But they don’t really understand: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’. That’s how a person makes a hole but doesn’t live in it. That person is like a mouse that makes a hole but doesn’t live in it, I say.

And how does a person live in a hole but not make it? It’s when a person doesn’t memorize the teaching … But they really understand: ‘This is suffering’ …

And how does a person neither make a hole nor live in it? It’s when a person doesn’t memorize the teaching … Nor do they really understand: ‘This is suffering’ …

And how does a person both make a hole and live in it? It’s when a person memorizes the teaching … And they really understand: ‘This is suffering’ … These four people similar to mice are found in the world.”