The Long Āgama Sūtra 23.36

23.36

「時，婆羅門大臣於彼新舍，以十六事開解王意，除王疑想。云何十六？大臣白王，或有人言：『今剎利王欲為大祀，而七世以來父母不正，常為他人所見輕毀。』設有此言，不能污王。所以者何？王七世以來父母真正，不為他人之所輕毀。或有人言：『今剎利王欲為大祀，而顏貌醜陋，非剎利種。』設有此言，不能污王，所以者何？王顏貌端正，剎利種族。或有人言：『今剎利王欲為大祀，而無增上戒，智慧不具。』設有此言，不能污王，所以者何？王戒德增上，智慧具足。或有人言：『今剎利王欲為大祀，而不善諸術，乘象、馬車、種種兵法不能解知。』設有此言，不能污王，所以者何？王善諸技術，戰陣兵法，無不解知。或有人言：『王欲為大祀，而無大威力攝諸小王。』設有是言，不能污王，所以者何？王有大威力，攝諸小王。」

“The priestly great minister went to the king’s newly built house and disclosed to him sixteen things, which dispelled the king’s doubts. What were the sixteen?

“The great minister said to the king, ‘Some people say, “Now, the warrior king wants a large sacrifice, but he’s descended from seven generations of fathers and mothers who weren’t genuine, so he’s constantly slighted by other people.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king is descended from seven generations of fathers and mothers who were genuine, so he isn’t slighted by other people.

“‘Sometimes, people say, “Now, the warrior king wants a large sacrifice, but he’s ugly-looking and not a member of a warrior tribe.” Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king is handsome-looking and a member of a warrior tribe.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘Now, the warrior king wants a large sacrifice, but he doesn’t have higher precepts, nor does he possess wisdom.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The virtue of the king’s precepts is higher, and his wisdom is complete.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘Now, the warrior king wants a large sacrifice, but he hasn’t developed skills such as riding elephants, horses, and chariots, nor does he understand the various martial arts.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king has developed these skills and the arts of war and martial techniques. There’s none he doesn’t understand.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but he doesn’t have the authority to bring lesser kings together.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king does have great authority that brings lesser kings together.