Numbered Discourses 4.108

1. Clouds

Oxen

“Mendicants, there are these four kinds of oxen.

What four?

One hostile to its own herd, not others;

one hostile to other herds, not its own;

one hostile to both its own herd and others; and

one hostile to neither its own herd nor others.

These are the four kinds of oxen.

In the same way, these four individuals similar to oxen are found in the world.

What four?

One hostile to their own herd, not others;

one hostile to other herds, not their own;

one hostile to both their own herd and others; and

one hostile to neither their own herd nor others.

And how is an individual hostile to their own herd, not others?

It’s when an individual intimidates their own followers, not the followers of others.

That’s how an individual is hostile to their own herd, not others.

That individual is like an ox that’s hostile to its own herd, not others.

And how is an individual hostile to other herds, not their own?

It’s when an individual intimidates the followers of others, not their own. …

And how is an individual hostile to both their own herd and others?

It’s when an individual intimidates their own followers and the followers of others. …

And how is an individual hostile to neither their own herd nor others?

It’s when an individual doesn’t intimidate their own followers or the followers of others.

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