The Long Āgama Sūtra 23.37

23.37

「或有人言：『王欲大祀，而不善於言語，所說麤獷，義味不具。』設有此言，不能污王，所以者何？王善於言語，所說柔軟，義味具足。或有人言：『王欲大祀，而無多財寶。』設有是言，不能污王，所以者何？王庫藏盈溢，多有財寶。或有人言：『王欲大祀，而無智謀，志意怯弱。』設有是言，不能污王，所以者何？王智謀勇果，無有怯弱。或有人言：『王欲大祀，不語宮內。』設有是語，不能污王，所以者何？王欲祭祀，先語宮內。或有人言：『王欲大祀，而不語太子、皇子。』設有此言，不能污王，所以者何？王欲祭祀，先語太子、皇子。或有人言：『王欲大祀，不語群臣。』設有此言，不能污王，所以者何？王欲大祀，先語群臣。或有人言：『王欲大祀，不語將士。』設有此言不能污王，所以者何？王欲祭祀，先語將士。」

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but he isn’t well-spoken. His speech is harsh, and its content and meaning are incomplete.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king is well-spoken. His speech is gentle, and its content and meaning are complete.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but he doesn’t have much treasure.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king’s treasury is overflowing with much treasure.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but he lacks shrewdness, and his temperament is timid.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king is shrewd, courageous, and lacks any timidity.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but he hasn’t consulted the women in the palace.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king wants a sacrifice, and he consulted the women in the palace beforehand.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but he hasn’t consulted the princes or crown prince.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king wants a sacrifice, and he consulted the princes and crown prince beforehand.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but he hasn’t consulted his ministers.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king wants a sacrifice, and he consulted his ministers beforehand.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but he hasn’t consulted his officers and men.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? The king wants a sacrifice, and he consulted his officers and men beforehand.