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an.5.165 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

On Asking Questions

Then Ven. Sariputta addressed the monks: “Friend monks.”

“Yes, friend,” the monks responded to him.

Ven. Sariputta said: “All those who ask questions of another do so from any one of five motivations. Which five?

“One asks a question of another through stupidity & bewilderment. One asks a question of another through evil desires & overwhelmed with greed. One asks a question of another through contempt. One asks a question of another when desiring knowledge. Or one asks a question with this thought, ‘If, when asked, he answers correctly, well & good. If not, then I will answer correctly [for him].’

“All those who ask questions of another do so from any one of these five motivations. And as for me, when I ask a question of another, it’s with this thought: ‘If, when asked, he answers correctly, well & good. If not, then I will answer correctly [for him].’

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera

Asking Questions

There Venerable Sāriputta addressed the mendicants: … “Whoever asks a question of another, does so for one or other of these five reasons.
What five?
Someone asks a question of another from stupidity and folly. Or they ask from wicked desires, being naturally full of desires. Or they ask in order to disparage. Or they ask wanting to understand. Or they ask with the thought,
‘If they correctly answer the question I ask it’s good. If not, I’ll correctly answer it for them.’
Whoever asks a question of another, does so for one or other of these five reasons.
As for myself, I ask with the thought,
‘If they correctly answer the question I ask it’s good. If not, I’ll correctly answer it for them.’”