“Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”

“What do you think, mendicants? Have you ever seen or heard of a person who has given up intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, and the kings have them arrested for that, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires?”

“No, sir.”

“Good, mendicants! I too have never seen or heard of such a thing. Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed: ‘While under the influence of intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, this person murdered a woman or a man. Or they stole something from a village or wilderness. Or they had relations with women or maidens under someone else’s protection. Or they ruined a householder or householder’s child by lying.’ The kings have them arrested for being under the influence of intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires. Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?”

“Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”

Numbered Discourses 5.179 18. A Lay Follower A Layperson