1 “Mendicants, I will teach you seven principles that prevent decline. Listen and apply your mind well … And what are the seven principles that prevent decline?
2 As long as the mendicants don’t relish work, loving it and liking to relish it, they can expect growth, not decline.
3 As long as they don’t enjoy talk … sleep … company … they don’t have corrupt wishes, falling under the sway of corrupt wishes … they don’t have bad friends, companions, and associates … they don’t stop half-way after achieving some trifling distinction, they can expect growth, not decline.
4 As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”