The Buddha teaches on a true person, presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 5.42 A True Person

“Sappuriso, bhikkhave, kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāmegho sabbasassāni sampādento bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, sappuriso kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hotīti.

Hito bahunnaṁ paṭipajja bhoge,
Taṁ devatā rakkhati dhammaguttaṁ;
Bahussutaṁ sīlavatūpapannaṁ,
Dhamme ṭhitaṁ na vijahati kitti.

Dhammaṭṭhaṁ sīlasampannaṁ,
saccavādiṁ hirīmanaṁ;
Nekkhaṁ jambonadasseva,
ko taṁ ninditumarahati;
Devāpi naṁ pasaṁsanti,
brahmunāpi pasaṁsito”ti.

Dutiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Sappuriso, bhikkhave, kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

“Mendicants, a true person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people.

mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

For the benefit, welfare, and happiness of mother and father;

puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

children and partners;

dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

bondservants, workers, and staff;

mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

friends and colleagues;

samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti.

and ascetics and brahmins.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāmegho sabbasassāni sampādento bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

It’s like a great rain cloud, which nourishes all the crops for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people.

evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, sappuriso kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

In the same way, a true person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. …

mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hotīti.

Hito bahunnaṁ paṭipajja bhoge,

The gods protect one who is guarded by principle,

Taṁ devatā rakkhati dhammaguttaṁ;

who uses their wealth for the welfare of the many.

Bahussutaṁ sīlavatūpapannaṁ,

One who is learned, with precepts and observances intact,

Dhamme ṭhitaṁ na vijahati kitti.

and steady in principle, doesn’t lose their reputation.

Dhammaṭṭhaṁ sīlasampannaṁ,

Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct,

saccavādiṁ hirīmanaṁ;

truthful, conscientious;

Nekkhaṁ jambonadasseva,

like a pendant of Black Plum River gold,

ko taṁ ninditumarahati;

who is worthy to criticize them?

Devāpi naṁ pasaṁsanti,

Even the gods praise them,

brahmunāpi pasaṁsito”ti.

and by the Divinity, too, they’re praised.”

Dutiyaṁ.

Qualities:

Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

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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Fear of wrongdoing

Fear of wrongdoing

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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Happiness

Happiness

Bodily ease and comfort; a pleasant feeling experienced with the body. In the third jhāna, one dwells experiencing this pleasure with the body. It is abandoned, along with bodily pain, for the fourth jhāna to arise.

Also known as: pleasant abiding, positive state of mind, sense of ease
Pāli: sukha
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Learning

Learning

One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.

Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
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Last updated on July 27, 2026