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 Black Plum River gold,
ko taṁ ninditumarahati;
who is worthy to criticize them?
Devāpi naṁ pasaṁsanti,
Even the gods praise them,
brahmunāpi pasaṁsito”ti.
and by the Divinity, too, they’re praised.”
Dutiyaṁ.