The Buddha explains the similarities and the differences between the wise and the immature persons through dependent co-arising.

At Sāvatthi.

"For the immature person (lacking in good sense or judgement, child-like in understanding [bāla]), bhikkhus, obstructed by ignorance (shrouded by not understanding [avijjānīvaraṇa]) and bound by craving, this body has arisen. Thus, there is this body and the external name-and-form (external world constructed through perception and experience [bahiddhā + nāmarūpa]). This duality exists. Dependent on this duality, contact arises through one or another of the six sense bases, leading to the experience of ease and discomfort (pleasure and pain, happiness and sorrow [sukhadukkha]).

For the wise person (astute, intelligent, learned, skilled [paṇḍita]), bhikkhus, obstructed by ignorance and bound by craving, this body has arisen. Thus, there is this body and the external name-and-form. This duality exists. Dependent on this duality, contact arises through one or another of the six sense bases, leading to the experience of ease and discomfort.

In this case, bhikkhus, what is the distinction, the disparity, and the difference between the wise and the immature persons?"

"Venerable sir, the Dhamma (teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]) is rooted in the Blessed One, guided by the Blessed One, and takes refuge in the Blessed One. It is good if the Blessed One would explain the meaning of this statement. Having heard it from the Blessed One, the bhikkhus will remember it."

"Then, bhikkhus, listen to this and pay close attention, I will speak."

"Yes, venerable sir," the bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this:

"Bhikkhus, for the immature person, obstructed by ignorance (fundamental unawareness or misunderstanding of the true nature of reality, not experientially understanding the four noble truths [avijjā]) and bound by craving, this body has arisen. That same ignorance has not been abandoned, and that same craving has not been exhausted. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the immature person has not lived the spiritual life [1] rightly for the ending of suffering. Therefore, after the breakup of the body, the immature person fares on to a new body. Being bound to a body, they are not freed from birth, aging, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair. I say they are not freed from suffering.

Bhikkhus, for the wise person, though obstructed by ignorance and bound by craving, this body has arisen. Yet that same ignorance has been abandoned by the wise person, and that same craving has been exhausted. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the wise person has lived the spiritual life rightly for the ending of suffering. Therefore, after the breakup of the body, the wise person does not fare on to a new body. Being freed from the body, they are freed from birth, aging, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair. They are freed from suffering."

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[1] Spiritual life in this context is the gradual cultivation of one's life practice based on independent verification of the teachings of the Buddha. This should lead one to gradually understanding the general law of existence of beings, to improvements in one's personal and professional relationships, and to the cultivation of positive mental qualities such as joy, being content with few things, diligence, having initiative and applying effort.

Related Teachings:

A handful of leaves 🍃 - Essential Teachings of the Buddha to Understanding The Four Noble Truths - A collection of the teachings on understanding the four noble truths by view.

Full Understanding Of the Six Sense Bases (SN 35.26) - Without understanding the “all” consisting of the six interior and exterior sense bases and becoming dispassionate towards it, it is impossible to be free of suffering.

Eight causes and conditions leading to cultivation of wisdom (AN 8.2) - The Buddha explains the eight causes and conditions that lead to the attainment, further development, growth, cultivation, and fulfillment of wisdom that pertains to the fundamentals of the spiritual life.