1"Bhikkhus, just as even a trifling amount of feces is foul smelling, so too I do not praise even a trifling amount of existence, even for a mere finger snap." [n.179] Mp explains that after the Buddha had given a discourse on the rebirth of beings, saying that there are nine persons "freed from hell, the animal realm, and the sphere of afflicted spirits" (see AN9.12), he considered: "If the bhikkhus, on hearing this discourse, think: ‘We are freed from hell, etc.,’ they may think there is no need to strive for the higher paths and fruits. Let me then stir up a sense of urgency in them." Mp glosses the words, "I do not praise even a trifling amount of existence," with: "I do not praise rebirth in any realm of existence even for a short time" (appamattakampi kālaṁ bhave paṭisandhiṁ na vaṇṇayāmi).

1"Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, appamattakopi gūtho duggandho hoti; evamevaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, appamattakampi bhavaṁ na vaṇṇemi, antamaso accharāsaṅghātamattampi".