AN 5.165 Panhapuccha Sutta

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AN 5.165 Panhapuccha Sutta : On Asking Questions
Then Ven. Sariputta addressed the monks: "Friend monks."

"Yes, friend," the monks responded to him.

Ven. Sariputta said: "All those who ask questions of another do so from any one of five motivations. Which five?

"One asks a question of another through stupidity & bewilderment. One asks a question of another through evil desires & overwhelmed with greed. One asks a question of another through contempt. One asks a question of another when desiring knowledge. Or one asks a question with this thought,(1) 'If, when asked, he answers correctly, well & good. If not, then I will answer correctly (for him).'

"All those who ask questions of another do so from any one of these five motivations. And as for me, when I ask a question of another, it's with this thought: 'If, when asked, he answers correctly, well & good. If not, then I will answer correctly (for him).'

Note:

1.Reading panevam-citto with the Thai edition. The PTS reading — pakuppanto citto, "with a provoked heart" — does not fit the context at all.

See also: AN3.67; AN4.42