AN4.6 — Appassuta Sutta
Disciples, there are these four types of persons existing in the world. What are the four?
One who is of little learning and not accomplished in knowing.
One who is of little learning but accomplished in knowing.
One who is of great learning but not accomplished in knowing.
One who is of great learning and accomplished in knowing.
And how is a person of little learning and not accomplished in knowing? Here a certain person has little learning regarding discourses, mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, inspired utterances, sayings, birth stories, marvelous accounts, and analytical teachings. He does not know the meaning of that little learning, nor does he practice in accordance with the Dhamma. Thus a person is of little learning and not accomplished in knowing.
And how is a person of little learning but accomplished in knowing? Here a certain person has little learning: discourses, mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, inspired utterances, sayings, birth stories, marvelous accounts, and analytical teachings. He knows the meaning of that little learning and practices in accordance with the Dhamma. Thus a person is of little learning but accomplished in knowing.
And how is a person of great learning but not accomplished in knowing? Here a certain person has great learning: discourses, mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, inspired utterances, sayings, birth stories, marvelous accounts, and analytical teachings. He does not know the meaning of that great learning, nor does he practice in accordance with the Dhamma. Thus a person is of great learning but not accomplished in knowing.
And how is a person of great learning and accomplished in knowing? Here a certain person has great learning: discourses, mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, inspired utterances, sayings, birth stories, marvelous accounts, and analytical teachings. He knows the meaning of that great learning and practices in accordance with the Dhamma. Thus a person is of great learning and accomplished in knowing.
These are the four types of persons existing in the world.
Even if one is of little learning, if he is not settled in virtue, he is criticized for both his virtue and his learning. Even if one is of little learning, if he is well settled in virtue, he is praised for his virtue, and his learning is fulfilled.
Even if one is of great learning, if he is not settled in virtue, he is criticized for his virtue, and his learning does not bear fruit.
The disciple of the Tathāgata, learned and wise, who holds the Dhamma, is like a gold coin of Jambonada; who could rightly criticize him? Even the gods praise him, and he is praised by Brahma.