Monks, one who possesses four qualities can be understood to be a wholesome person.
What four?
Here, Monks, a wholesome person does not disclose the faults of others even when asked about them, how much less then when not asked. But when he is asked about them, then, led on by questions, he speaks about the faults of others with gaps and omissions, not fully or in detail. It can be understood: This individual is a wholesome person.
Again, a wholesome person discloses the virtues of others even when not asked about them, how much more then when asked. But when he is asked about them, then, led on by questions, he speaks about the virtues of others without gaps and omissions, fully and in detail. It can be understood: This individual is a wholesome person.
Again, a wholesome person discloses his own faults even when not asked about them, how much more then when asked. But when he is asked about them, then, led on by questions, he speaks about his own faults without gaps and omissions, fully and in detail. It can be understood: This individual is a wholesome person.
Again, a wholesome person does not disclose his own virtues even when asked about them, how much less then when not asked. But when he is asked about them, then, led on by questions, he speaks about his own virtues with gaps and omissions, not fully or in detail. It can be understood: This individual is a wholesome person.
One who possesses these four qualities can be understood as a wholesome person.
(Reference: AN 4.73)
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares “Four Qualities of a Wholesome Person”. These are not the “only” four qualities that determine whether you are practicing in a wholesome way, but are four of “the” qualities of a wholesome person.
(1) First, a wholesome person would not speak of a person’s faults or mistakes. Instead, they would keep those to themselves without a desire to share them with others. To openly share the faults or mistakes of others would be to gossip and that will only lead to their harm, thus, this harm will come back to you. If you gossip about others, it is only a matter of time before people decide to gossip about you.
A wise Practitioner would see no benefit in gossiping and choose not to gossip. Even if what is potentially being shared is true, it is unbeneficial to share the faults and mistakes of others so, why share them?