The Long Āgama Sūtra 23.38

23.38

「或有人言：『王欲大祀，而婆羅門大臣七世以來父母不正，常為他人之所輕毀。』設有是語，不能污王，所以者何？我七世以來父母真正，不為他人所見輕毀。或有人言：『王欲大祀，而大臣於異學三部諷誦不利，種種經書不能分別，世典幽微亦不綜練，不能善於大人相法、瞻察吉凶、祭祀儀禮。』設有此言，不能污王，所以者何？我於三部異典諷誦通利，種種經書皆能分別，世典幽微靡不綜練，又能善於大人相法、瞻察吉凶、祭祀儀禮。或有人言：『王欲大祀，而大臣不善言語，所說麤獷，義味不具。』設有此言，不能污王，所以者何？我善言語，所說柔和，義味具足。或有人言：『王欲大祀，而大臣智謀不具，志意怯弱，不解祀法。』設有是言，不能污王，所以者何？我智謀勇果，無有怯弱，凡祭祀法，無不解知。」

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but his priestly great minister is descended from seven generations of fathers and mothers who weren’t genuine, so he’s always slighted by other people.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? I’m descended from seven generations of fathers and mothers who were genuine, so I’m not slighted by other people.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but his great minister hasn’t mastered the three Vedas, nor can he discern the various scriptures or learn about the subtleties of worldly literature. He isn’t skilled in the way of the great man’s signs, divining fortune and misfortune, or ritual sacrifices and etiquette.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? I’ve mastered the three Vedas, can discern the various scriptures, and have learned about the subtleties of worldly literature. I’m skilled in the way of the great man’s signs, divining fortune and misfortune, and ritual sacrifices and etiquette.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but his great minister 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? I’m well-spoken. My speech is gentle, and its content and meaning are complete.

“Sometimes, people say, ‘The king wants a large sacrifice, but his priestly great minister isn’t shrewd, his temperament is timid, and he doesn’t understand the way of ritual sacrifice.’ Supposing this were said, it wouldn’t besmirch the king. Why is that? I’m shrewd and courageous, lack any timidity, and there’s nothing about the way of ritual sacrifice that I don’t understand.”