To Potaliya the wandering ascetic

Ṭhe wandering ascetic Potaliya approached The Blessed One, exchanged friendly greetings and sat on a side, then The Blessed One said thus to him:

Potaliya, four persons are evident in the world. Which four?

Here, Potaliya, a certain person depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time, does not appreciate the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time Here, Potaliya, a certain person appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time, does not depreciate the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time. Here, Potaliya, a certain person neither depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time, nor appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. Here, Potaliya, a certain person depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time and appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time.

Potaliya, of these four persons evident in the world, which one is the most excellent and exalted?

Good Gotama, these four persons are evident in the world. Which four?

The person who depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time, does not appreciate the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. The person who appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time, does not depreciate the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time. The person who neither depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time, nor appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. And the person who depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time and appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. Good Gotama, of these four persons evident in the world, the person who neither depreciates the depreciable really and truly at the right time nor appreciates the appreciable really and truly at the right time is the most advanced and exalted. What is the reason? Good Gotama, because he is advanced in equanimity.

Potaliya, these four persons are evident in the world. Which four?

The person who depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time, does not appreciate the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. The person who appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time, does not depreciate the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time. The person who neither depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time, nor appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. And the person who depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time and appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. Potaliya, of these four persons evident in the world, the person who depreciates the depreciable really and truly at the right time and appreciates the appreciable really and truly at the right time is the most advanced and exalted. What is the reason? Potaliya, because he knows what should be told at the right time.

Good Gotama, these four persons are evident in the world. Which four?

The person who depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time, does not appreciate the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. The person who appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time, does not depreciate the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time. The person who neither depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time, nor appreciates the appreciable really and truthfully at the right time. And the person who depreciates the depreciable really and truthfully at the right time and appreciates the appreciable really and tru thfully at the right time. Good Gotama, of these four persons evident in the world, the person who depreciates the depreciable really and truly at the right time and appreciates the appreciable really and truly at the right time is the most advanced and exalted. What is the reason? Good Gotama, because he knows what should be told at the right time.

Good Gotama, I understand it now, it is as though something overturned is reinstated, as though an oil lamp is lighted for those who have sight to see forms. Thus good Gotama has explained the Teaching in various ways. I take refuge in good Gotama, the Teachintg and the Community of bhikkhus. Remember me as one who has taken refuge.