Threefold Purification of the Precepts (Sīla) #2: Not Stealing (Protecting What Belongs to Others) — Veḷudvāreyya Sutta (SN 55.7)
3. Adinnādāna — Abstaining from Taking What Is Not Given 3.1 Puna caparaṃ, gahapatayo, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: Furthermore, householders, the noble disciple reflects in this way: The noble disciple continues the same practice of wise reflection ( paṭisañcikkhati ) , now applying it to taking what has not been given. 3.2 Yo kho me adinnaṃ theyyasaṅkhātaṃ ādiyeyya, na metaṃ assa piyaṃ manāpaṃ. If someone were to take from me what has not been given, what is regarded as theft, that would not be pleasing or agreeable to me. The disciple begins with his own experience. He recognizes that having something taken without permission is unpleasant . 3.3 Ahañceva kho pana parassa adinnaṃ theyyasaṅkhātaṃ ādiyeyyaṃ, parassapi taṃ assa appiyaṃ amanāpaṃ. And if I were to take from another what has not been given, what is regarded as theft, that would likewise be unpleasant and disagreeable to that person. He then applies the same reflection to another person: just as I dislike having my pro...