[1069] "What is the purpose of accusation (codanā)? What is the reason for reminding (sāraṇā)?
What is the purpose of the Saṅgha? And what is the reason for the act of opinion (matikamma)?"
"Accusation is for the purpose of reminding; reminding is for the purpose of restraint (niggaha);
the Saṅgha is for the purpose of examination; but the act of opinion is done separately for each case.
Do not speak in haste; do not speak in anger;
do not arouse resentment, if you are an investigator (anuvijjaka).
Do not speak rashly speech that is contentious and unconnected with benefit.
In the Sutta, in the Vinaya, in the Anuloma,
in what has been laid down, and in what conforms thereto,
consider the practice of interrogation,
made by the skilled and intelligent one,
well spoken, in conformity with the training rules,
not destroying one's destiny in the world to come.
Seeking welfare, apply yourself, at the proper time, to what is connected with benefit.
Do not hastily seize upon the statement
of the accused or of the accuser.
The accuser says, 'He has committed an offense';
the accused says, 'I have not committed one.'
Not setting aside either of them,
one should proceed according to the admission (paṭiññā) and its consistency.
Admission is spoken of among the conscientious (lajjī);
among the shameless (alajjī) this is not found.
A shameless one might say much;
one should proceed according to consistency with what has been said."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.