Good People vs Bad People

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

On one occasion the Buddha spoke about the way people reveal themselves through the way in which they talk about themselves and others: Good people do not disclose the faults of others, even when asked about them. If they have no alternative they speak ‘with gaps and omissions, not fully or in detail.’

Good people disclose the virtues of others, even without being asked about them. When asked, they speak ‘without gaps and omissions, fully and in detail.’

Good people disclose their own faults even without being asked about them. When asked, they speak ‘without gaps and omissions, fully and in detail.’

Good people do not disclose their own virtues, even when asked about them. If they have no alternative, they speak ‘with gaps and omissions, not fully or in detail.’

Bad people, the Buddha said, speak in the opposite way: voluble about the faults of others and their own virtues, reticent about the virtues of others and their own faults.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.