Seven Kinds of Deeds (AN4.203)

Numbered Discourses 4.203

21. A True Person

Seven Kinds of Deeds

“Mendicants, I will teach you an untrue person and an even more untrue person,

a true person and a truer person.

And what is an untrue person?

It’s someone who kills living creatures, steals, commits sexual misconduct, and uses speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical.

This is called an untrue person.

And what is an even more untrue person?

It’s someone who kills living creatures, steals, commits sexual misconduct, and uses speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they encourage others to do these things.

This is called an even more untrue person.

And what is a true person?

It’s someone who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, or use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical.

This is called a true person.

And what is an even truer person?

It’s someone who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, or use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they encourage others to refrain from these things.

This is called an even truer person.”