The Buddha describes the qualities of true disciples, and those who do not grow in the Dhamma.
Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:
“Ye keci, bhikkhave, bhikkhū kuhā thaddhā lapā siṅgī unnaḷā asamāhitā, na me te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū māmakā. Apagatā ca te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū imasmā dhammavinayā; na ca te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjanti. Ye ca kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhū nikkuhā nillapā dhīrā atthaddhā susamāhitā, te kho me, bhikkhave, bhikkhū māmakā. Anapagatā ca te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū imasmā dhammavinayā; te ca imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjantī”ti.
“|Bhikkhus,::::| those bhikkhus who are |deceitful::deceptive, fraudulent, fake [kuha]|, |stubborn::bullheaded, inflexible [thaddha]|, talkative, crafty, |arrogant::conceited, haughty [unnaḷa]|, and |distracted::with scattered attention, not collected, not well-composed [asamāhita]|; such bhikkhus are not my true disciples. They have deviated from this |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| and |Vinaya::code of monastic discipline rules, training [vinaya]|, and they do not achieve growth, progress, or full maturity in it. But|, bhikkhus,::::| those bhikkhus who are honest, restrained in speech, |steadfast::firm, stable, wise [dhīra]|, humble, and |well collected::completely calm, totally settled, attentive, well composed [susamāhita]| [in mind]; these are truly my disciples. They have not strayed from this Dhamma and Vinaya, and they do attain growth, progress, and full maturity in it.”
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
“Kuhā thaddhā lapā siṅgī,
unnaḷā asamāhitā;
Na te dhamme virūhanti,
sammāsambuddhadesite.
“Deceitful, stubborn, talkative, and crafty,
arrogant and distracted;
such do not grow in the Dhamma,
preached by the perfectly Awakened One.
Nikkuhā nillapā dhīrā,
atthaddhā susamāhitā;
Te ve dhamme virūhanti,
sammāsambuddhadesite”ti.
But those who are honest, quiet, steadfast,
humble and collected in mind;
they indeed grow in the Dhamma,
preached by the perfectly Awakened One.”
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:
“|Bhikkhus,::::| those bhikkhus who are |deceitful::deceptive, fraudulent, fake [kuha]|, |stubborn::bullheaded, inflexible [thaddha]|, talkative, crafty, |arrogant::conceited, haughty [unnaḷa]|, and |distracted::with scattered attention, not collected, not well-composed [asamāhita]|; such bhikkhus are not my true disciples. They have deviated from this |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| and |Vinaya::code of monastic discipline rules, training [vinaya]|, and they do not achieve growth, progress, or full maturity in it. But|, bhikkhus,::::| those bhikkhus who are honest, restrained in speech, |steadfast::firm, stable, wise [dhīra]|, humble, and |well collected::completely calm, totally settled, attentive, well composed [susamāhita]| [in mind]; these are truly my disciples. They have not strayed from this Dhamma and Vinaya, and they do attain growth, progress, and full maturity in it.”
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
“Deceitful, stubborn, talkative, and crafty,
arrogant and distracted;
such do not grow in the Dhamma,
preached by the perfectly Awakened One.
But those who are honest, quiet, steadfast,
humble and collected in mind;
they indeed grow in the Dhamma,
preached by the perfectly Awakened One.”
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.
Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
“Ye keci, bhikkhave, bhikkhū kuhā thaddhā lapā siṅgī unnaḷā asamāhitā, na me te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū māmakā. Apagatā ca te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū imasmā dhammavinayā; na ca te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjanti. Ye ca kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhū nikkuhā nillapā dhīrā atthaddhā susamāhitā, te kho me, bhikkhave, bhikkhū māmakā. Anapagatā ca te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū imasmā dhammavinayā; te ca imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjantī”ti.
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
“Kuhā thaddhā lapā siṅgī,
unnaḷā asamāhitā;
Na te dhamme virūhanti,
sammāsambuddhadesite.
Nikkuhā nillapā dhīrā,
atthaddhā susamāhitā;
Te ve dhamme virūhanti,
sammāsambuddhadesite”ti.
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.