sutta » an » an5 » Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.42

Translators: sujato

Numbered Discourses 5.42

5. Muṇḍarājavagga
5. With King Muṇḍa

Sappurisasutta

A True Person

“Sappuriso, bhikkhave, kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;
“Mendicants, a true person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people.

mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;
For the benefit, welfare, and happiness of mother and father;

puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;
children and partners;

dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;
bondservants, workers, and staff;

mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;
friends and colleagues;

samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti.
and ascetics and brahmins.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāmegho sabbasassāni sampādento bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;
It’s like a great rain cloud, which nourishes all the crops for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people.

evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, sappuriso kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;
In the same way, a true person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. …

mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hotīti.

Hito bahunnaṁ paṭipajja bhoge,
The gods protect one who is guarded by principle,

Taṁ devatā rakkhati dhammaguttaṁ;
who uses their wealth for the welfare of the many.

Bahussutaṁ sīlavatūpapannaṁ,
One who is learned, <j>with precepts and observances intact,

Dhamme ṭhitaṁ na vijahati kitti.
and steady in principle, doesn’t lose their reputation.

Dhammaṭṭhaṁ sīlasampannaṁ,
Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct,

saccavādiṁ hirīmanaṁ;
truthful, conscientious;

Nekkhaṁ jambonadasseva,
like a pendant of river gold,

ko taṁ ninditumarahati;
who is worthy to criticize them?

Devāpi naṁ pasaṁsanti,
Even the gods praise them,

brahmunāpi pasaṁsito”ti.
and by Brahmā, too, they’re praised.”

Dutiyaṁ.