Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge c8.46

c8.46

(159) The Buddhist texts refer to and briefly define the views of different schools of Sceptics. They are spoken of collectively as 'some recluses and brahmins who wriggle like eels. For when a question is put to them on this or that matter they resort to verbal jugglery and eel-wriggling on four grounds'.⁴ The first of these schools is described as follows: 'Herein a certain recluse or brahmin does not understand, as it really is, that this is good or this is evil. And it occurs to him: I do not understand what is good or evil as it really is. Not understanding what is good or evil, as it really is, if I were to assert that this is good and this is evil, that will be due to my likes, desires, aversions or resentments. If it were due to my likes, desires, aversions or resentments, it would be wrong. And if I were wrong, it would cause me worry (vighāto) and worry would be a moral danger to me (antarāyo). Thus, through fear of being wrong (musāvādabhayā) and the abhorrence of being wrong, he does not assert anything to be good or evil and on questions being put to him on this or that matter he resorts to verbal jugglery and eel-wriggling, saying: I do not say so, I do not say thus, I do not say otherwise, I do not say no, I deny the denials (*lit.* I do not say, "no, no")'.¹