2.1.6 The Characteristics of Foolish and Wise People*

There are, Bhikkhus, three marks, three signs and three characteristics of a foolish person. Which three?

Such a fool, Bhikkhus, thinks thoughts, speaks words and performs actions that are wrong. Were it not so, Bhikkhus, that a foolish person thinks thoughts, speaks words and performs actions that are wrong, how would wise person be able to know: ‘this is a foolish person, an unworthy person’?

But because, Bhikkhus, a foolish person thinks thoughts, speaks words and performs actions that are wrong, therefore wise person knows: ‘this is a foolish person, an unworthy person’!

These are, Bhikkhus, the three marks, three signs and three characteristics of a foolish person.

There are, Bhikkhus, three marks, three signs and three characteristics of a wise person. Which three?

Such a wise person, Bhikkhus, thinks thoughts, speaks words and performs actions that are right. Were it not so, Bhikkhus that a wise person thinks thoughts, speaks words and performs actions that are right, how would a wise person be able to know: ‘this is a wise person, a worthy person’?

But because, Bhikkhus, a wise person thinks thoughts, speaks words and performs actions that are right, therefore a wise person knows: ‘this is a wise person, a worthy person’!

These are, Bhikkhus, the three marks, three signs and three characteristics of a wise person.

Therefore, Bhikkhus, make it your obligation to practice each:

‘this is suffering’, ‘this is the arising of suffering’,

‘this is the eradication of suffering’,

‘this is the path that leads to the eradication of suffering’.”


*Cintīsuttaṃ: Cintī + suttaṃ: having one's thoughts/thinking + sutta


Pāli and English side-by-side (with audio) 2.1.6

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Last modified: Friday, 27 October 2023, 1:29 PM