AN 5 The Book of the Fives – Pañcakanipāta > AN 5.42 A Good Person

Numbered Discourses 5.42 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.42

5. With King Muṇḍa – 5. Muṇḍarājavagga

AN 5.42 A Good Person – Sappurisasutta

1.1

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

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

1.2

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

mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

1.3

children and partners;

puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

1.4

bondservants, workers, and staff;

dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

1.5

friends and colleagues;

mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

1.6

and ascetics and brahmins.

samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti.

2.1

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

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

2.2

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

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

2.3

mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

2.4

puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

2.5

dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

2.6

mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti;

2.7

samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hotīti.

3.1

The gods protect one who is guarded by principle,

Hito bahunnaṁ paṭipajja bhoge,

3.2

who uses their wealth for the welfare of the many.

Taṁ devatā rakkhati dhammaguttaṁ;

3.3

One who is learned, with precepts and observances intact,

Bahussutaṁ sīlavatūpapannaṁ,

3.4

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

Dhamme ṭhitaṁ na vijahati kitti.

4.1

Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct,

Dhammaṭṭhaṁ sīlasampannaṁ,

4.2

truthful, conscientious;

saccavādiṁ hirīmanaṁ;

4.3

like a pendant of river gold,

Nekkhaṁ jambonadasseva,

4.4

who is worthy to criticize them?

ko taṁ ninditumarahati;

4.5

Even the gods praise them,

Devāpi naṁ pasaṁsanti,

4.6

and by Brahmā, too, they’re praised.”

brahmunāpi pasaṁsito”ti.

4.7

Dutiyaṁ.