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### Anguttara Nikaya IV.42

# Pañha Sutta

# Questions

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

"There are these four ways of answering questions. Which four? There are questions that should be answered categorically [straightforwardly yes, no, this, that]. There are questions that should be answered with an analytical (qualified) answer [defining or redefining the terms]. There are questions that should be answered with a counter-question. There are questions that should be put aside. These are the four ways of answering questions."

> First the categorical answer,
> then the qualified,
> third, the type to be counter-questioned,
> & fourth, the one to be set aside.
> Any monk who knows which is which,
> in line with the Dhamma,
> is said to be skilled
> in the four types of questions:
> hard to overcome, hard to beat,
> profound, hard to defeat.
> He knows what's worthwhile
> & what's not,
> proficient in (recognizing) both,
> he rejects the worthless,
> grasps the worthwhile.
> He's called one who has broken through
> to what's worthwhile,
> prudent,
> wise.

See also: MN 58; MN 72; SN XLIV.10; AN III.79; AN X.96.

Revised: Thu 17 May 2001