Aṅguttara Nikāya — Discursos Numerados — 4.110 — Vipers

1“Mendicants, there are these four kinds of viper. What four?

2One whose venom is fast-acting but not lethal,

3one whose venom is lethal but not fast-acting,

4one whose venom is both fast-acting and lethal, and

5one whose venom is neither fast-acting nor lethal.

6These are the four kinds of viper. In the same way, these four individuals similar to vipers are found in the world. What four?

7One whose venom is fast-acting but not lethal,

8one whose venom is lethal but not fast-acting,

9one whose venom is both fast-acting and lethal, and

10one whose venom is neither fast-acting nor lethal.

11And how is an individual’s venom fast-acting but not lethal? It’s when an individual is often angry, but their anger doesn’t linger long. That’s how an individual’s venom is fast-acting but not lethal. That individual is like a viper whose venom is fast-acting but not lethal.

12And how is an individual’s venom lethal but not fast-acting? It’s when an individual is not often angry, but their anger lingers for a long time.

13And how is an individual’s venom both fast-acting and lethal? It’s when an individual is often angry, and their anger lingers for a long time.

14And how is an individual’s venom neither fast-acting nor lethal? It’s when an individual is not often angry, and their anger doesn’t linger long.

15These four individuals similar to vipers are found in the world.”