Aṅguttara Nikāya
4. Catukka Nipāta
III. Uruvelā Vagga

The Book of the Fours

Chapter III: Uruvelā

Sutta 26

Kuhaka Suttaṃ

The Cheat¹

 

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[26] [28]

Thus have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī at Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

"Monks, whatsoever monks are cheats,
stubborn,
babblers,
astute,²
insolent,
uncontrolled,
such are no followers of me.

³ [29] Such have fallen away from this Dhamma-discipline:
nor do such monks win growth,
increase,
prosperity
in this Dhamma-discipline.

But, monks, whatsoever monks are no cheats,
not stubborn,
no babblers,
sages,
tractable,
well controlled,
such indeed are followers of me.

Such have not fallen away
from this Dhamma-discipline:
such monks win growth,
increase
and prosperity
therein.

Cheats, stubborn, babblers, crafty rogues,
Insolent and uncontrolled, -
They in Dhamma do not grow
By the all-wise One declared.

But honest ones, no babblers, sages.
Tractable and well controlled,
They verily in Dhamma grow
By the all-wise One declared.'

 

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¹ This sutta occurs at Itiv. 113. Cf. Thag. 959.

² Singī. Comy. quotes the def. at Vibh. 351, lit. 'having a horn.' VibhA. 476 explains 'in the sense of piercing: a name for the depraved life of townsfolk.' Trans, at Brethr., p. 337, 'skilled diplomatists.'

³ Māmakā = mama santakā. Comy.