The Deity:

Having come here with our questions to the Exalted One, we ask thee, O Gotama, about man's decline. Pray, tell us the cause of downfall!

The Buddha:

Easily known is the progressive one, easily known he who declines. He who loves Dhamma progresses; he who is averse to it, declines.

The Deity:

Thus much do we see: this is the first cause of one's downfall. Pray, tell us the second cause.[1]

The Buddha:

The wicked are dear to him, with the virtuous he finds no delight, he prefers the creed of the wicked — this is a cause of one's downfall.

Being fond of sleep, fond of company, indolent, lazy and irritable — this is a cause of one's downfall.

Though being well-to-do, not to support father and mother who are old and past their youth — this is a cause of one's downfall.

To deceive by falsehood a brahman or ascetic or any other mendicant — this is a cause of one's downfall.

To have much wealth and ample gold and food, but to enjoy one's luxuries alone — this is a cause of one's downfall.

To be proud of birth, of wealth or clan, and to despise one's own kinsmen — this is a cause of one's downfall.

To be a rake, a drunkard, a gambler, and to squander all one earns — this is a cause of one's downfall.

Not to be contented with one's own wife, and to be seen with harlots and the wives of others — this is a cause of one's downfall.

Being past one's youth, to take a young wife and to be unable to sleep for jealousy of her — this is a cause of one's downfall.

To place in authority a woman given to drink and squandering, or a man of a like behavior — this is a cause of one's downfall.

To be of noble birth, with vast ambition and of slender means, and to crave for rulership — this is a cause of one's downfall.

Knowing well these causes of downfall in the world, the noble sage endowed with insight shares a happy realm.