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an.3.2 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Characteristics

“Bhikkhus, the fool is characterized by his actions; the wise person is characterized by his actions. Wisdom shines in its manifestation.

“Bhikkhus, one who possesses three qualities should be known as a fool. What three? Bodily misconduct, verbal misconduct, and mental misconduct. One who possesses these three qualities should be known as a fool. One who possesses three qualities should be known as a wise person. What three? Bodily good conduct, verbal good conduct, and mental good conduct. One who possesses these three qualities should be known as a wise person.

“Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘We will avoid the three qualities possessing which one is known as a fool, and we will undertake and observe the three qualities possessing which one is known as a wise person.’ It is in this way that you should train yourselves.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh


Characteristics

“A fool is characterized by their deeds; an astute person is characterized by their deeds. And wisdom makes behavior beautiful.
A fool is known by three things.
What three?
Bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.
These are the three things by which a fool is known.
An astute person is known by three things.
What three?
Good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.
These are the three things by which an astute person is known.
So you should train like this:
‘We will reject the three things by which a fool is known, and we will undertake and follow the three things by which an astute person is known.’
That’s how you should train.”