Aṇguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
XIV: Puggala Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
XIV: On Persons
Sutta 132
Paṭibhāno Puggala Suttaṃ
Reply[1]
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, these four persons are found existing in the world.
What four?
He who replies to the point, not diffusely:
he who replies diffusely, not to the point:
he who replies to the point and diffusely:
he who neither replies to the point nor diffusely.
These are the four persons found existing in the world.'
[1] Pugg., p. 42. Yutta-paṭibhāno: Comy., 'When asked a question he makes a fit reply, does not answer hastily hut at leisure.' Pugg.A. 223 gives instances of each quality. (Yutta = succinct; mutta = loose, rambling) Paṭibhāno also seems to mean 'of ready wit' and 'with repartee.'
