[223] "But even if, friends, a bhikkhu does not give the invitation: 'Let the venerable ones speak to me; I am one who may be spoken to by the venerable ones,' yet if he is easy to admonish (suvaco), endowed with the qualities that make one easy to admonish (sovacassakaraṇā dhammā), patient, accepting instruction respectfully, then his companions in the holy life consider him as one worth speaking to and worth instructing, and they consider that trust may be placed in that person. And what, friends, are the qualities that make one easy to admonish?
Here, friends, a bhikkhu is not of evil wishes and has not come under the sway of evil wishes. In that a bhikkhu is not of evil wishes and has not come under the sway of evil wishes — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu does not exalt himself and does not disparage others. In that a bhikkhu does not exalt himself and does not disparage others — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not angry, not overcome by anger. In that a bhikkhu is not angry, not overcome by anger — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not angry, does not harbor resentment on account of anger. In that a bhikkhu is not angry, does not harbor resentment on account of anger — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not angry, is not suspicious on account of anger. In that a bhikkhu is not angry, is not suspicious on account of anger — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not angry, does not utter words bordering on anger. In that a bhikkhu is not angry, does not utter words bordering on anger — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not oppose the reprover. In that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not oppose the reprover — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not rebuke the reprover. In that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not rebuke the reprover — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not make counter-charges against the reprover. In that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not make counter-charges against the reprover — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not evade the reprover with one thing after another, does not lead the talk aside to an outside subject, and does not display anger, hatred, and displeasure. In that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not evade the reprover with one thing after another, does not lead the talk aside to an outside subject, and does not display anger, hatred, and displeasure — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not fail to account to the reprover for his conduct. In that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not fail to account to the reprover for his conduct — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not denigrating and not domineering. In that a bhikkhu is not denigrating and not domineering — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not envious and not stingy. In that a bhikkhu is not envious and not stingy — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not fraudulent and not deceitful. In that a bhikkhu is not fraudulent and not deceitful — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not obstinate and not arrogant. In that a bhikkhu is not obstinate and not arrogant — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu does not adhere to his own views, does not hold on to them tenaciously, and relinquishes them easily. In that a bhikkhu does not adhere to his own views, does not hold on to them tenaciously, and relinquishes them easily — this too is a quality that makes one easy to admonish.
These, friends, are called the qualities that make one easy to admonish.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.