iti.36 Itivuttaka

Deceit and Flattery

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, this spiritual life is not lived for the sake of deceiving people or flattering them, nor for the benefit of possessions, honor, or popularity, nor thinking, ‘So let people know about me!’
This spiritual life is lived for the sake of direct knowledge and complete understanding.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“The Buddha taught the spiritual life
not because of tradition,
but for the sake of insight and understanding,
and because it culminates in extinguishment.
This is the path followed by the great souls,
the great hermits.
Those who practice it
as it was taught by the Buddha
doing the teacher’s bidding,
make an end of suffering.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.