Aṅguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
XIV: Puggala Vagga

The Book of the Fours

XIV: On Persons

Sutta 132

Paṭibhāno Puggala Suttaṃ

Reply¹

 

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[138]

Thus have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, these four persons are found existing in the world.

What four?

He who replies to the point, not diffusely:
he who replies diffusely, not to the point:
he who replies to the point and diffusely:
he who neither replies to the point nor diffusely.

These are the four persons found existing in the world.'

 

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¹ Pugg., p. 42. Yutta-paṭibhāno: Comy., 'When asked a question he makes a fit reply, does not answer hastily hut at leisure.' Pugg.A. 223 gives instances of each quality. (Yutta = succinct; mutta = loose, rambling) Paṭibhāno also seems to mean 'of ready wit' and 'with repartee.'