The Buddha teaches on bad principles (1st), presenting a tenfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 10.171 Bad Principles (1st)

“Adhammo ca, bhikkhave, veditabbo anattho ca; dhammo ca veditabbo attho ca. Adhammañca viditvā anatthañca, dhammañca viditvā atthañca yathā dhammo yathā attho tathā paṭipajjitabbaṁ.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, adhammo ca anattho ca? Pāṇātipāto, adinnādānaṁ, kāmesumicchācāro, musāvādo, pisuṇā vācā, pharusā vācā, samphappalāpo, abhijjhā, byāpādo, micchādiṭṭhi ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, adhammo ca anattho ca.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, dhammo ca attho ca? Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī, adinnādānā veramaṇī, kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇī, musāvādā veramaṇī, pisuṇāya vācāya veramaṇī, pharusāya vācāya veramaṇī, samphappalāpā veramaṇī, anabhijjhā, abyāpādo, sammādiṭṭhi ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dhammo ca attho ca.

‘Adhammo ca, bhikkhave, veditabbo anattho ca; dhammo ca veditabbo attho ca. Adhammañca viditvā anatthañca, dhammañca viditvā atthañca yathā dhammo yathā attho tathā paṭipajjitabban’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttan”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Adhammo ca, bhikkhave, veditabbo anattho ca;

“Mendicants, you should know bad principles with bad results.

dhammo ca veditabbo attho ca.

And you should know good principles with good results.

Adhammañca viditvā anatthañca, dhammañca viditvā atthañca yathā dhammo yathā attho tathā paṭipajjitabbaṁ.

Knowing these things, your practice should follow the good principles with good results.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, adhammo ca anattho ca?

And what are bad principles with bad results?

Pāṇātipāto, adinnādānaṁ, kāmesumicchācāro, musāvādo, pisuṇā vācā, pharusā vācā, samphappalāpo, abhijjhā, byāpādo, micchādiṭṭhi

Killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual misconduct; speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; covetousness, ill will, and wrong view.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, adhammo ca anattho ca.

These are called bad principles with bad results.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, dhammo ca attho ca?

And what are good principles with good results?

Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī, adinnādānā veramaṇī, kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇī, musāvādā veramaṇī, pisuṇāya vācāya veramaṇī, pharusāya vācāya veramaṇī, samphappalāpā veramaṇī, anabhijjhā, abyāpādo, sammādiṭṭhi

Avoiding killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual misconduct; avoiding speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; contentment, good will, and right view.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dhammo ca attho ca.

These are called good principles with good results.

‘Adhammo ca, bhikkhave, veditabbo anattho ca;

‘You should know bad principles with bad results.

dhammo ca veditabbo attho ca.

And you should know good principles with good results.

Adhammañca viditvā anatthañca, dhammañca viditvā atthañca yathā dhammo yathā attho tathā paṭipajjitabban’ti,

Knowing these things, your practice should follow the good principles with good results.’

iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttan”ti.

That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Qualities:

Contentment

Contentment

The quality of being satisfied with the requisites one has and with the present conditions, resulting in having few desires and being free from agitation.

Also known as: fewness of wishes, having few desires, satisfaction, sense of ease
Pāli: santutthi, appicchatā, tuṭṭha, tosana
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Sexual misconduct

Sexual misconduct

Transgression of boundaries in intimate relations—acting on desire in ways that betray trust, cause harm, or violate the commitments of oneself or others.

Also known as: crossing boundaries, infidelity, inappropriate sexual behavior, unfaithfulness to one's partner
Pāli: kāmesumicchācāra
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Slaughtering

Slaughtering

The deliberate killing of a living being, carried out with the intention of ending its life while disregarding its natural drive to continue living.

Also known as: killing, murdering, taking life
Pāli: pāṇātipāta
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Stealing

Stealing

Also known as: theft, taking what is not given, taking what is not offerred, dishonesty regarding possessions
Pāli: adinnādānā
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026