With fault-finding mind, the dullard
Listens to the conqueror’s teaching.
They’re as far from true Dhamma,
As the earth is from the sky.

With fault-finding mind, the dullard
Listens to the conqueror’s teaching.
They decline in the true Dhamma,
Like the moon in the waning fortnight.

With fault-finding mind, the dullard
Listens to the conqueror’s teaching.
They wither away in the true Dhamma,
Like a fish in too little water.

With fault-finding mind, the dullard
Listens to the conqueror’s teaching.
They don’t thrive in the true Dhamma,
Like a rotten seed in a field.

But one with contended mind
Who listens to the conqueror’s teachings—
Having ended all defilements,
Having witnessed the unshakable,
Having arrived at the highest peace—
They realize nibbāna without defilements.