10.
The Discourse to Potaliya
100.
Then the wandering ascetic Potaliya approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
To the wandering ascetic Potaliya seated to one side, the Blessed One said this:
"Potaliya, there are these four persons existing and found in the world. Which four? Here, Potaliya, a certain person speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time, but does not speak praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time. Here again, Potaliya, a certain person speaks praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time, but does not speak dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time. Here again, Potaliya, a certain person neither speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time, nor speaks praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time. Here again, Potaliya, a certain person speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time, and speaks praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time. These, Potaliya, are the four persons existing and found in the world. Of these four persons, Potaliya, which person do you prefer as more brilliant and more sublime?"
"Master Gotama, there are these four persons existing and found in the world. Which four? Here, Master Gotama, a certain person speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time, but does not speak praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person speaks praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time, but does not speak dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person neither speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time, nor speaks praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time. Here again, Master Gotama, a certain person speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time, and speaks praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time. These, Master Gotama, are the four persons existing and found in the world. Of these four persons, Master Gotama, that person who neither speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time, nor speaks praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time; this person I prefer of these four persons as more brilliant and more sublime. What is the reason for this? For this is excellent, Master Gotama, namely equanimity."
"Potaliya, there are these four persons existing and found in the world. Which four? Etc. These, Potaliya, are the four persons existing and found in the world. Of these four persons, Potaliya, that person who speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise, factual and true, at the right time, and speaks praise of one who deserves praise, factual and true, at the right time; this one of these four persons is more brilliant and more sublime. What is the reason for this? For this is excellent, Potaliya, namely knowing the right time in each case."
"Master Gotama, there are these four persons existing and found in the world. Which four? Etc. These, Master Gotama, are the four persons existing and found in the world. Of these four persons, Master Gotama, that person who speaks dispraise of one who deserves dispraise - factual, true, at the right time - and speaks praise of one who deserves praise - factual, true, at the right time; this person I prefer of these four persons as more brilliant and more sublime. What is the reason for this? For this is excellent, Master Gotama, namely, knowing the right time in each case."
"Excellent, Master Gotama, excellent, Master Gotama! Just as, Master Gotama, one might set upright what had been overturned, or reveal what had been concealed, or point out the path to one who was lost, or hold up an oil lamp in the darkness - so that those with good eyesight might see forms - so too, the Teaching has been made clear by Master Gotama in many ways. I go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Teaching, and to the Community of monks. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for life." The tenth.