Visuddhimagga IX-93

263. Lakkhaṇādito panettha hitākārappavattilakkhaṇā mettā,

（慈悲喜舍的相、味、现起、足处、成就、失败）次于（慈悲喜舍的）相等，先说「慈」以维持有情的利益行相为相。

[Characteristic, Etc.]

Ñ(IX,93): As to the characteristic, etc., lovingkindness is characterized here as promoting the aspect of welfare.

hitūpasaṃhārarasā,

取来有情的利益为味（作用），

Ñ: Its function is to prefer welfare.

āghātavinayapaccupaṭṭhānā,

恼害的调伏为现起（现状），

Ñ: It is manifested as the removal of annoyance.

sattānaṃ manāpabhāvadassanapadaṭṭhānā.

见有情的可爱为足处（近因），

Ñ: Its proximate cause is seeing lovableness in beings.

Byāpādūpasamo etissā sampatti, sinehasambhavo vipatti.

瞋恚的止息为（慈的）成就，产生爱着为（慈的）失败。

Ñ: It succeeds when it makes ill will subside, and it fails when it produces (selfish) affection.