Aṅguttara Nikāya — Discursos Numerados — 3.22 — Patients

1“These three patients are found in the world. What three?

2In some cases a patient won’t recover from an illness, regardless of whether or not they get suitable food and medicines, and a capable carer.

3In some cases a patient will recover from an illness, regardless of whether or not they get suitable food and medicines, and a capable carer.

4In some cases a patient can recover from an illness, but only if they get suitable food and medicines, and a capable carer, and not if they don’t get these things.

5Now, it’s for the sake of the last patient—who will recover only if they get suitable food and medicines, and a capable carer—that food, medicines, and a carer are prescribed. But also, for the sake of this patient, the other patients should be looked after.

6These are the three kinds of patients found in the world.

7In the same way, these three individuals similar to patients are found in the world. What three? Some people don’t step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities, regardless of whether or not they get to see a Realized One, and to hear the teaching and training that he proclaims.

8Some people do step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities, regardless of whether or not they get to see a Realized One, and to hear the teaching and training that he proclaims.

9Some people can step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities, but only if they get to see a Realized One, and to hear the teaching and training that he proclaims, and not when they don’t get those things.

10Now, it’s for the sake of this last individual that teaching the Dhamma is prescribed, that is, the one who can step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities, but only if they get to see a Realized One, and to hear the teaching and training that he proclaims. But also, for the sake of this individual, the other people should be taught Dhamma.

11These are the three individuals similar to patients found in the world.”