AN4.6 — Appassuta Sutta

Disciples, there are these four types of persons existing in the world. What are the four?

1. One who is of little learning and not accomplished in understanding.

2. One who is of little learning but accomplished in understanding.

3. One who is of great learning but not accomplished in understanding.

4. One who is of great learning and accomplished in understanding.

And how is a person of little learning and not accomplished in understanding? Here a certain person has little learning regarding discourses, mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, inspired utterances, sayings, birth stories, marvelous accounts, and analytical teachings. He does not understand the meaning of that little learning, nor does he practice in accordance with the Dhamma. Thus a person is of little learning and not accomplished in understanding.

And how is a person of little learning but accomplished in understanding? Here a certain person has little learning: discourses, mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, inspired utterances, sayings, birth stories, marvelous accounts, and analytical teachings. He understands the meaning of that little learning and practices in accordance with the Dhamma. Thus a person is of little learning but accomplished in understanding.

And how is a person of great learning but not accomplished in understanding? Here a certain person has great learning: discourses, mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, inspired utterances, sayings, birth stories, marvelous accounts, and analytical teachings. He does not understand the meaning of that great learning, nor does he practice in accordance with the Dhamma. Thus a person is of great learning but not accomplished in understanding.

And how is a person of great learning and accomplished in understanding? Here a certain person has great learning: discourses, mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, inspired utterances, sayings, birth stories, marvelous accounts, and analytical teachings. He understands the meaning of that great learning and practices in accordance with the Dhamma. Thus a person is of great learning and accomplished in understanding.

These are the four types of persons existing in the world.

Even if one is of little learning, if he is not settled in virtue, he is criticized for both his virtue and his learning. Even if one is of little learning, if he is well settled in virtue, he is praised for his virtue, and his learning is fulfilled. Even if one is of great learning, if he is not settled in virtue, he is criticized for his virtue, and his learning does not bear fruit. Even if one is of great learning, if he is well settled in virtue, he is praised for both his virtue and his learning.

The disciple of the Buddha, learned and wise, who holds the Dhamma, is like a gold coin of Jambonada; who could rightly criticize him? Even the gods praise him, and he is praised by Brahma.