The Buddha explains the difference between immature and wise persons, and how mental defilements increase or decrease based on how one perceives.
2.98
"Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature (lacking in good sense or judgement, child-like in understanding [bāla]) persons. What two? One who takes responsibility for what has not yet come, and one who does not take responsibility for what has come. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus."
2.99
"Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who does not take responsibility for what has not yet come, and one who takes responsibility for what has come. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus."
2.108
"Bhikkhus, [mental] defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who feels anxious (feels uneasy about, worries about, is mentally agitated about [kukkuccāyati]) about what should not be felt anxious about, and one who does not feel anxious about what should be felt anxious about. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus."
2.109
"Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who does not feel anxious about what should not be felt anxious about, and one who feels anxious about what should be felt anxious about. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus."
2.100
"Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as not allowable. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus."
2.101
"Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as not allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as allowable. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus."
2.110
"Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as not allowable. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus."
2.111
"Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as not allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as allowable. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus."
2.104
"Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as Dhamma (teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]) and one who perceives what is Dhamma as non-Dhamma. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus."
2.105
"Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as non-Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as Dhamma. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus."
2.114
"Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as non-Dhamma. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus."
2.115
"Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as non-Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as Dhamma. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus."
One can perhaps visualize something akin to a life balance chart to periodically note on their gradual progress of the increase or decline of the mental defilements through the growth or decline in the arising of the hindrances.
The Buddha here is sharing three areas that can lead to the arising of hindrances:
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When one is concerned about what has not yet come, but unconcerned about what has come (what is present)
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When one perceives what is not-allowable as allowable, or what is allowable as not-allowable
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When one perceives what is not-Dhamma as Dhamma, or what is Dhamma as not-Dhamma
Related Teachings:
Appamāda sutta - Diligence (SN 3.17) - Diligence leads to happiness in both here and now, as well as in the next life. Buddha shares on this in a conversation with King Pasenadi.
Eight states to observe for to verify if one has understood the true dhamma (AN 8.53) - A teaching by the Buddha on investing and independently verifying true dhamma from counterfeit dhamma.
The path naturally flows for an ethical person (AN 11.2) - A virtuous person need not make a wish; it is natural for the path to flow on.
