The Buddha describes the five individuals—one gives then scorns, one lives together then scorns, one is gullible for gossip, one is impulsive, and one is dull and stupid, and how does an individual give then scorn?, it’s when an individual gives an individual robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, and they think:, and ‘i give;.

AN 5.141 Scorn

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame pañca? Datvā avajānāti, saṁvāsena avajānāti, ādheyyamukho hoti, lolo hoti, mando momūho hoti.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo datvā avajānāti? Idha, bhikkhave, puggalo puggalassa deti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘ahaṁ demi; ayaṁ paṭiggaṇhātī’ti. Tamenaṁ datvā avajānāti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo datvā avajānāti.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo saṁvāsena avajānāti? Idha, bhikkhave, puggalo puggalena saddhiṁ saṁvasati dve tīṇi vassāni. Tamenaṁ saṁvāsena avajānāti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo saṁvāsena avajānāti.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo ādheyyamukho hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo parassa vaṇṇe avaṇṇe bhāsiyamāne taṁ khippaññeva adhimuccitā hoti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo ādheyyamukho hoti.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo lolo hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ittarasaddho hoti ittarabhattī ittarapemo ittarappasādo. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo lolo hoti.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo mando momūho hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo kusalākusale dhamme na jānāti, sāvajjānavajje dhamme na jānāti, hīnappaṇīte dhamme na jānāti, kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāge dhamme na jānāti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo mando momūho hoti.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmin”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ.

“Mendicants, these five individuals are found in the world.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Datvā avajānāti, saṁvāsena avajānāti, ādheyyamukho hoti, lolo hoti, mando momūho hoti.

One gives then scorns, one lives together then scorns, one is gullible for gossip, one is impulsive, and one is dull and stupid.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo datvā avajānāti?

And how does an individual give then scorn?

Idha, bhikkhave, puggalo puggalassa deti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ.

It’s when an individual gives an individual robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

Tassa evaṁ hoti:

They think:

‘ahaṁ demi;

‘I give;

ayaṁ paṭiggaṇhātī’ti.

this one receives.’

Tamenaṁ datvā avajānāti.

They give to them, then they scorn them.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo datvā avajānāti.

That’s how an individual gives then scorns.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo saṁvāsena avajānāti?

And how does an individual live together then scorn?

Idha, bhikkhave, puggalo puggalena saddhiṁ saṁvasati dve tīṇi vassāni.

It’s when an individual lives with someone else for two or three years.

Tamenaṁ saṁvāsena avajānāti.

They live together with them, then they scorn them.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo saṁvāsena avajānāti.

That’s how an individual lives together then scorns.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo ādheyyamukho hoti?

And how is an individual gullible for gossip?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo parassa vaṇṇe avaṇṇe bhāsiyamāne taṁ khippaññeva adhimuccitā hoti.

It’s when they’re very quick to believe what a certain individual says in praise or criticism of another.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo ādheyyamukho hoti.

That’s how an individual is gullible for gossip.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo lolo hoti?

And how is an individual impulsive?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ittarasaddho hoti ittarabhattī ittarapemo ittarappasādo.

It’s when a certain individual is fickle in faith, devotion, fondness, and confidence.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo lolo hoti.

That’s how an individual is impulsive.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, puggalo mando momūho hoti?

And how is an individual dull and stupid?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo kusalākusale dhamme na jānāti, sāvajjānavajje dhamme na jānāti, hīnappaṇīte dhamme na jānāti, kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāge dhamme na jānāti.

It’s when they don’t know the difference between qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those with a portion of dark or bright.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puggalo mando momūho hoti.

That’s how an individual is dull and stupid.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmin”ti.

These are the five individuals found in the world.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Affection

Affection

A mental quality of tender affection and fond regard, often wholesome when rooted in kindness, which inclines the mind toward warmth and care. When unguarded, it may turn toward fixation upon what is 'dear,' leading the mind to attachment and the grief that follows separation from what has been clung to as 'dear'.

Also known as: fondness, love, tender regard
Pāli: pema
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Faith

Faith

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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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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Last updated on July 27, 2026