‘a person of no integrity"

Textual Scholarship
1

A sutta to keep in mind

AN 4.73
"Monks, a person endowed with these four qualities can be known as ‘a person of no integrity.’ Which four?

"There is the case where a person of no integrity, when unasked, reveals another person’s bad points, to say nothing of when asked. Furthermore, when asked, when pressed with questions, he is one who speaks of another person’s bad points in full & in detail, without omission, without holding back. Of this person you may know, ‘This venerable one is a person of no integrity.’

"Then again, a person of no integrity, when asked, does not reveal another person’s good points, to say nothing of when unasked. Furthermore, when asked, when pressed with questions, he is one who speaks of another person’s good points not in full, not in detail, with omissions, holding back. Of this person you may know, ‘This venerable one is a person of no integrity.’
…
"Now, a person endowed with these four qualities can be known as ‘a person of integrity.’ Which four?

"There is the case where a person of integrity, when asked, does not reveal another person’s bad points, to say nothing of when unasked. Furthermore, when asked, when pressed with questions, he is one who speaks of another person’s bad points not in full, not in detail, with omissions, holding back. Of this person you may know, ‘This venerable one is a person of integrity.’

"Then again, a person of integrity, when unasked, reveals another person’s good points, to say nothing of when asked. Furthermore, when asked, when pressed with questions, he is one who speaks of another person’s good points in full & in detail, without omissions, without holding back. Of this person you may know, ‘This venerable one is a person of integrity.’

2

Good householder,

like many teachings, also this could be used by Mara, especially if one has not gone beyond bodily development or not even complete, but useful for that stage.

Just as food for thoughts: Wouln’t one, not understanding fully not easy come to the idea that the Sublime Buddha was not of integrity, as he wasn’t shy to tell his virtues even unasked as well as not shy to open up faults.

So which factor would be good to add here?

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Hi Samana Johann, what makes you think that I am a “householder”?

As for the rest of your message, I am sorry but I am not sure I understand properly what you mean to say. Perhaps you could provide yourself the answer to your question, since it seems to be rhetorical?

4

@Sekha Use your real name and get treated appropriately. You are offended because you use a fake name. The Classical Theravada user signup form actually asks you for your real name and it is required. It will not let you go further unless you put a name. For yourself, you put Sekha (I checked). This is wrong and not proper for monks to do. We have relaxed the rules, but we have the right to demand it if we feel it is needed. Read the FAQ.

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The word used, “integrity”, it’s deeper meaning, might help to see through the fine net here. (was tried to add, but because no eding allowed, and posts per day limited, now later.

Good another topic.