Removing Greed (AN4.96)

Numbered Discourses 4.96

10. Titans

Removing Greed

“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 practices to remove their own greed, hate, and delusion, but doesn’t encourage others to do the same.

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 doesn’t practice to remove their own greed, hate, and delusion, but encourages others to remove theirs.

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 doesn’t practice to remove their own greed, hate, and delusion, nor do they encourage others to remove theirs.

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 practices to remove their own greed, hate, and delusion, and encourages others to remove theirs.

That’s how an individual practices to benefit both themselves and others.

These are the four individuals found in the world.”