DiscoverANAN 4AN 4.219

The Buddha teaches on lack of conscience, presenting a fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 4.219 Lack of Conscience

…pe… Assaddho hoti, dussīlo hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti …pe… saddho hoti, sīlavā hoti, hirimā hoti, ottappī hoti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

…pe… Assaddho hoti, dussīlo hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti …pe… saddho hoti, sīlavā hoti, hirimā hoti, ottappī hoti.

“Someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. … They’re faithless, unethical, shameless, and imprudent. … Someone with four qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there. … They’re faithful, ethical, conscientious, and prudent. …”

Navamaṁ.

Qualities:

Conscience

Conscience

☀️ bright quality

An inner moral sensitivity that shrinks from wrongdoing out of self-respect and personal integrity. It is the voice within that knows what is beneath one's dignity, guarding conduct through an inward standard of honor.

Also known as: with sense of right and wrong, sense of shame, modesty, (comm) originating from inside
Pāli: hirī
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

☀️ bright quality

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Faith

Faith

☀️ bright quality

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Fear of wrongdoing

Fear of wrongdoing

☀️ bright quality

A wholesome dread of misconduct that considers consequences and the censure of the wise. It looks outward—aware of blame, loss of reputation, and the suffering that follows unskillful action—and holds the mind back from crossing ethical boundaries.

Also known as: conscientious, moral dread, respect for others, (comm) originating from outside
Pāli: ottappa
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Last updated on July 27, 2026

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