The Vicious

THUS have I heard.
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.
Then the Exalted One addressed the brethren, saying:
"Brethren."
"Yes, lord," replied those brethren to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Through an element it is, brethren,
that beings flow together,
meet together.
Unbelievers flow together, meet together with unbelievers,
the unconscientious with the unconscientious,
the indiscreet with the indiscreet,
the vicious with the vicious,
the unwise with the unwise.
Believers flow together, meet together with believers,
the conscientious with the conscientious,
the discreet with the discreet,
the virtuous with the virtuous,
the wise with the wise.