“Mendicants, there are these four kinds of viper. What four? ~One whose venom is fact-acting but not lethal, ~one whose venom is lethal but not fast-acting, ~one whose venom is both fast-acting and lethal, and ~one whose venom is neither fast-acting nor lethal. These are the four kinds of viper. In the same way, these four people similar to vipers are found in the world. What four? ~One whose venom is fact-acting but not lethal, ~one whose venom is lethal but not fast-acting, ~one whose venom is both fast-acting and lethal, and ~one whose venom is neither fast-acting nor lethal.

And how is a person’s venom fast-acting but not lethal? It’s when a person is often angry, but their anger doesn’t linger long. That’s how a person’s venom is fast-acting but not lethal. That person is like a viper whose venom is fast-acting but not lethal.

And how is a person’s venom lethal but not fast-acting? It’s when a person is not often angry, but their anger lingers for a long time.

And how is a person’s venom both fast-acting and lethal? It’s when a person is often angry, and their anger lingers for a long time.

And how is a person’s venom neither fast-acting nor lethal? It’s when a person is not often angry, and their anger doesn’t linger long. These four people similar to vipers are found in the world.”