These are the four drains on one's store of wealth:

"These are the four drains on one's store of wealth:

1. debauchery in sex

2. debauchery in drink

2. debauchery in gambling

3. evil friendship, evil companionship, evil camaraderie

Just as if there were a great reservoir with four inlets and four drains, and a man were to close the inlets and open the drains, and the sky were not to pour down proper showers, the depletion of that great reservoir could be expected, not its increase. In the same way, these are the four drains on one's store of wealth: debauchery in sex; debauchery in drink; debauchery in gambling; and evil friendship, evil companionship, evil camaraderie.

These are the four inlets to one's store of wealth:

1. no debauchery in sex

2. no debauchery in drink

3. no debauchery in gambling

4. admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie

Just as if there were a great reservoir with four inlets and four drains, and a man were to open the inlets and close the drains, and the sky were to pour down proper showers, the increase of that great reservoir could be expected, not its depletion. In the same way, these are the four inlets to one's store of wealth: no debauchery in sex; no debauchery in drink; no debauchery in gambling; and admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.

Dighajanu (Vyagghapajja) Sutta: To Dighajanu

translated from the Pali by

Thanissaro Bhikkhu