The Buddha contrasts the fool and the astute person, each known by three qualities of conduct and response.

AN 3.7 Blameworthy

“Tīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bālo veditabbo. Katamehi tīhi? Sāvajjena kāyakammena, sāvajjena vacīkammena, sāvajjena manokammena …pe… anavajjena kāyakammena, anavajjena vacīkammena, anavajjena manokammena …pe….

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Tīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bālo veditabbo.

“A fool is known by three things.

Katamehi tīhi?

What three?

Sāvajjena kāyakammena, sāvajjena vacīkammena, sāvajjena manokammena …pe… anavajjena kāyakammena, anavajjena vacīkammena, anavajjena manokammena …pe….

Blameworthy deeds by way of body, speech, and mind. … An astute person is known by blameless deeds by way of body, speech, and mind. …”

Sattamaṁ.

Qualities:

Immaturity

Immaturity

A childish lack of discernment that fails to see the results of actions clearly. It delights in surface pleasure and ignores consequence. Immaturity leads to poor choices and association with unwise companions.

Also known as: lacking in discernment, lacking in good sense, child-like in understanding, lack of wisdom, lack of experience, foolishness
Pāli: bāla
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Unwholesome

Unwholesome

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

Also known as: blameworthy, unhealthy, unskillful, unbeneficial, karmically unprofitable
Pāli: akusala
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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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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026