Ignorance is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, and wisdom is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities.

ITI 40  Vijjā sutta - Wisdom

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ; vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti.

“|Ignorance::illusion of knowledge, not knowing [avijjā]|, bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, with |shamelessness::lack of conscience [ahirika]| and |moral recklessness::fearlessness of wrongdoing [anottappa]| following behind. |True knowledge::wisdom, the direct realization of truth [vijjā]|, bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities, with a |sense of right and wrong::sense of shame, moral conscience, modesty [hirī]| and |moral dread::fear of wrongdoing out of regard for others [ottappa]| following behind.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Yā kācimā duggatiyo,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;
Avijjāmūlikā sabbā,
icchālobhasamussayā.

“Whatever unfortunate destinies,
exist in this world and the next;
all are rooted in ignorance,
and accumulation of |longing::craving, desire, yearning [icchā]| and |greed::grasping [lobha]|.

Yato ca hoti pāpiccho,
ahirīko anādaro;
Tato pāpaṁ pasavati,
apāyaṁ tena gacchati.

When one has |evil desires::yearnings that produce harm [pāpiccha]|,
is without shame and |disrespectful::disdainful, contemptuous [anādara]|;
They produce unwholesome actions,
and as a result, fall into a |state of misery::woeful destination [apāya]|.

Tasmā chandañca lobhañca,
avijjañca virājayaṁ;
Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,
sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.

Therefore, abandoning |desire::intention, wish, impulse, interest [chanda]| and greed,
and dispelling ignorance;
A bhikkhu who gives rise to wisdom,
will cast off all unfortunate destinies.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

A related teaching is at SN 45.1 Avijjā Sutta - Ignorance.

Qualities:

Conscience

Conscience

An inner moral sensitivity that shrinks from wrongdoing out of self-respect and personal integrity. It is the voice within that knows what is beneath one's dignity, guarding conduct through an inward standard of honor.

Also known as: with sense of right and wrong, sense of shame, modesty, (comm) originating from inside
Pāli: hirī
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Fear of wrongdoing

Fear of wrongdoing

A wholesome dread of misconduct that considers consequences and the censure of the wise. It looks outward—aware of blame, loss of reputation, and the suffering that follows unskillful action—and holds the mind back from crossing ethical boundaries.

Also known as: conscientious, moral dread, respect for others, (comm) originating from outside
Pāli: ottappa
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, vijjā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita
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Contempt

Contempt

A dismissive or belittling attitude that refuses to acknowledge worth or goodness. It closes the heart, undermines gratitude, and prepares the ground for ill will.

Also known as: ungratefulness, depreciation, denigration, disrespect, belittlement, disparagement
Pāli: makkha
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Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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Greed

Greed

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
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Ignorance

Ignorance

A fundamental blindness to the true nature of reality. It is not merely a lack of information, but an active misperception that views the transient as permanent and the unsatisfactory as a source of happiness, thereby fueling the cycle of suffering.

Also known as: illusion of knowing, fundamental unawareness of the true nature of reality, misunderstanding of how things have come to be, not knowing the four noble truths
Pāli: avijjā
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Moral recklessness

Moral recklessness

Acting without moral concern for how one's behavior affects others. The mind sees no reason to hold back from wrongdoing, treating ethical boundaries as irrelevant.

Also known as: fearlessness of wrongdoing, without concern for others, lack of prudence
Pāli: anottappa
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Shamelessness

Shamelessness

A lack of inner concern or self-respect that allows a person to do what they understand as wrong without discomfort or restraint.

Also known as: act without thinking about what is right, fair, or appropriate, disregarding one's moral sense of right and wrong, unconscientiousness
Pāli: ahirika
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Last updated on December 13, 2025