[42] Bhikkhus, there are these four ways of answering questions (pañhabyākaraṇa). What four? There is, bhikkhus, a question that should be answered categorically (ekaṃsabyākaraṇīya); there is, bhikkhus, a question that should be answered after making an analysis (vibhajjabyākaraṇīya); there is, bhikkhus, a question that should be answered with a counter-question (paṭipucchābyākaraṇīya); there is, bhikkhus, a question that should be set aside (ṭhapanīya). These indeed, bhikkhus, are the four ways of answering questions.
One question calls for a categorical statement; another, a statement after analysis;
the third one should answer with a counter-question; but the fourth one should set aside.
And the bhikkhu who, in each case, knows what accords with the Dhamma regarding these questions—
of such a bhikkhu they say: "He is skilled in the four questions."
Hard to approach, hard to overcome, deep, hard to vanquish,
and skilled in both the beneficial (attha) and the harmful (anattha),
the wise one avoids the harmful and takes up the beneficial;
through comprehension of the beneficial, the steadfast one is called "wise" (paṇḍita).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.