The Buddha describes the three kinds of sagacity - by body, speech and mind.

ITI 67  Moneyya sutta - Sagacity

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

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

“Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, moneyyāni. Katamāni tīṇi? Kāyamoneyyaṁ, vacīmoneyyaṁ, manomoneyyaṁimāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi moneyyānī”ti.

“There are three kinds of sagacity, bhikkhus. Which three? Physical sagacity, verbal sagacity, and mental sagacity. These, bhikkhus, are the three kinds of sagacity.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

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

“Kāyamuniṁ vacīmuniṁ,
manomunimanāsavaṁ;
Muniṁ moneyyasampannaṁ,
āhu ninhātapāpakan”ti.

“Physical sagacity, verbal sagacity,
and the |taint-less::undefiled, free from effluents [anāsava]| sagacity of the mind;
A |sage::seer, hermit, monk [munī]| accomplished in sagacity,
is said to have cleansed off all |injurious [actions]::harmful, bad, potentially evil intentions or actions [pāpa]|.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

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

Qualities:

Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Non-harm

Non-harm

The intention of harmlessness, rooted in the understanding that all beings tremble at violence and fear death.

Also known as: non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness, non-killing, non-hurting
Pāli: avihiṃsā, ahiṁsa
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Last updated on December 13, 2025