Aṅguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
XIV: Puggala Vagga

The Book of the Fours

XIV: On Persons

Sutta 137

Garu Puggala Suttaṃ

Virtue (b)

[140]

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?

Herein, monks, a certain person
respects not virtue,
puts not virtue first;
respects not concentration,
puts not concentration first;
respects not wisdom,
puts not wisdom first.¹

Herein again a certain person
respects virtue
puts virtue first;
but respects not concentration,
puts not concentration first;
respects not wisdom,
puts not wisdom first.

Yet again a certain person
respects virtue
puts virtue first;
respects concentration,
puts concentration first;
but respects not wisdom,
puts not wisdom first.

Yet again a certain person
respects virtue
puts virtue first;
respects concentration,
puts concentration first;
respects wisdom
puts wisdom first.

So these are the four persons found existing in the world.'