[169] Then the Venerable Ānanda approached the Venerable Sāriputta; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Ānanda said to the Venerable Sāriputta: "Friend Sāriputta, in what way is a bhikkhu one who apprehends quickly (khippanisanti) with regard to wholesome dhammas, one who grasps well what he learns, grasps much, and does not forget what he has grasped?"
"The Venerable Ānanda is one of great learning (bahussuta). Let it be clear to the Venerable Ānanda himself."
"Well then, friend Sāriputta, listen and attend carefully; I will speak."
"Yes, friend," the Venerable Sāriputta replied to the Venerable Ānanda. The Venerable Ānanda said this:
"Here, friend Sāriputta, a bhikkhu is skilled in meaning (attha), skilled in dhamma, skilled in phrasing (byañjana), skilled in language (nirutti), and skilled in what comes before and after (pubbāpara). To this extent, friend Sāriputta, a bhikkhu is one who apprehends quickly with regard to wholesome dhammas, one who grasps well what he learns, grasps much, and does not forget what he has grasped."
"It is wonderful, friend! It is marvellous, friend, how well this has been spoken by the Venerable Ānanda! And we regard the Venerable Ānanda as endowed with these five qualities: the Venerable Ānanda is skilled in meaning, skilled in dhamma, skilled in phrasing, skilled in language, and skilled in what comes before and after."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.