Numbered Discourses 4.204

21. A True Person

Ten Kinds of Deeds

“Mendicants, I will teach you an untrue person and an even more untrue person,
a true person and an even truer person.

And what is an untrue person?
It’s someone who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view.
This is called an untrue person.

And what is an even more untrue person?
It’s someone who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. They’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view. 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, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view.
This is called a true person.

And what is an even truer person?
It’s someone who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. They’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view. And they encourage others to do these things.

This is called an even truer person.”