Furthermore, a true person doesn’t speak well of themselves even when asked, let alone when not asked. But when summoned for questioning they speak well of themselves without giving the full details, leaving many things out. That’s how to know that this is a true person. A true person can be known by these four qualities.

It’s like a bride on the day or night she’s first brought to her husband’s home. Right away she sets up a keen sense of conscience and prudence for her mother and father in law, her husband, and even the bondservants, workers, and staff. But after some time, because of living together and familiarity, she’ll even say to her mother and father in law, or to her husband: ‘Go away! What would you know?’ In the same way, on the day or night a mendicant first goes forth from the lay life to homelessness, right away they set up a keen sense of conscience and prudence for the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen, and even the monastery workers and novices. But after some time, because of living together and familiarity, they’ll even say to their tutor or mentor: ‘Go away! What would you know?’ So you should train like this: ‘We will live with hearts like that of a newly wedded bride.’ That’s how you should train.”

Numbered Discourses 4.74 8. Sure Bet Best (1st)

“Mendicants, these four things are the best. What four? The best ethics, immersion, wisdom, and freedom. These are the four things that are the best.”

Numbered Discourses 4.75 8. Sure Bet Best (2nd)

“Mendicants, these four things are the best. What four? The best form, feeling, perception, and existence. These are the four things that are the best.”

Numbered Discourses 4.76 8. Sure Bet At Kusinārā