Visuddhimagga IX-108

Etāsu hi yasmā mettā byāpādabahulassa,

（2）即于此等（四梵住）中，慈为多瞋恚者的（清净道），

Ñ(IX,108): For among these, lovingkindness is the way to purity for one who has much ill will,

karuṇā vihesābahulassa,

悲为多害者的（清净道），

Ñ: compassion is that for one who has much cruelty,

muditā aratibahulassa,

喜为多不乐者的（清净道），

Ñ: gladness is that for one who has much aversion (boredom),

upekkhā rāgabahulassa visuddhimaggo.

舍为多贪者的清净道。

Ñ: and equanimity is that for one who has much greed.

Yasmā ca hitūpasaṃhāraahitāpanayanasampattimodanaanābhogavasena catubbidhoyeva sattesu manasikāro.

是故对诸有情有四种（清净如理的）作意：（一）取来（他人的）利益，（二）拔除（他人的）不利，（三）喜悦（他人的）幸福，（四）以无关心。

Ñ: Also attention given to beings is only fourfold, that is to say, as bringing welfare, as removing suffering, as being glad at their success, and as unconcern, [that is to say, impartial neutrality].

Yasmā ca yathā mātā daharagilānayobbanappattasakiccapasutesu catūsu puttesu daharassa abhivuḍḍhikāmā hoti,

譬如母亲对于幼儿、病者、青年、自能谋生者的四位儿子。（一）对幼儿希望其成长，

Ñ: And one abiding in the measureless states should practise lovingkindness and the rest like a mother with four sons, namely, a child, an invalid, one in the flush of youth, and one busy with his own affairs; for she wants the child to grow up,

gilānassa gelaññāpanayanakāmā,

（二）对病者希望其病的痊愈，

Ñ: wants the invalid to get well,

yobbanappattassa yobbanasampattiyā ciraṭṭhitikāmā,

（三）对青年希望其永久保持青年的幸福，

Ñ: wants the one in the flush of youth to enjoy for long the benefits of youth,

sakakiccapasutassa kismiñci pariyāye abyāvaṭā hoti,

（四）对于自谋生活者则没有什么关心。

Ñ: and is not at all bothered about the one who is busy with his own affairs.

tathā appamaññāvihārikenāpi sabbasattesu mettādivasena bhavitabbaṃ.

以无量而住者，亦应以慈等而对一切有情，

Ñ:

Notes: the English translation is above 'one abiding in the measureless states should practise lovingkindness and the rest'.

Tasmā ito visuddhimaggādivasā catassova appamaññā.

是故依清净道而有四无量（住）。

Ñ: That is why the measureless states are only four as 'due to paths to purity and other sets of four'.