<p><a href="https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN4_192.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Traits -
Ṭhāna Sutta  (AN 4:192)</a> That might be what you're thinking about:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Monks, these four traits may be known by means of four (other)
traits. Which four?</p>
<p>“It’s through living together that a person’s virtue may be known, and
then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is
attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning,
not by one who is not discerning.</p>
<p>“It’s through dealing with a person that his purity may be known, and
then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is
attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning,
not by one who is not discerning.</p>
<p>“It’s through adversity that a person’s endurance may be known, and
then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is
attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning,
not by one who is not discerning.</p>
<p>“It’s through discussion that a person’s discernment may be known, and
then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is
attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning,
not by one who is not discerning..&quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It continues in more detail after that point.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-15T06:48:19.183Z
Ah yes.  i've been given SN3.11 but this version has the particular details i was seeking.  thankyou
tony
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-13T22:48:32.317Z
2022-12-14T02:28:03.840Z
2022-12-14T02:28:03.840Z
stick-in-hand
<p>i'm after the sutta where the Buddha says something like   'you can get to know another person if you have some awareness and wisdom, but even then you must live close by and observe them in all their activities, not for a short time, but for a long time'.</p>

<theravada><reference-request>
looking for a particular sutta
# looking for a particular sutta

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-12-13)

i'm after the sutta where the Buddha says something like 'you can get to know another person if you have some awareness and wisdom, but even then you must live close by and observe them in all their activities, not for a short time, but for a long time'.

**Tags:** theravada, reference-request


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-12-13. Score: 1

[Traits -
Ṭhāna Sutta (AN 4:192)](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN4_192.html) That might be what you're thinking about:

> “Monks, these four traits may be known by means of four (other)
> traits. Which four?
>
> “It’s through living together that a person’s virtue may be known, and
> then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is
> attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning,
> not by one who is not discerning.
>
> “It’s through dealing with a person that his purity may be known, and
> then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is
> attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning,
> not by one who is not discerning.
>
> “It’s through adversity that a person’s endurance may be known, and
> then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is
> attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning,
> not by one who is not discerning.
>
> “It’s through discussion that a person’s discernment may be known, and
> then only after a long period, not a short period; by one who is
> attentive, not by one who is inattentive; by one who is discerning,
> not by one who is not discerning.."

It continues in more detail after that point.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Ah yes.  i've been given SN3.11 but this version has the particular details i was seeking.  thankyou  

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