[150] When this was said, those young brahmins (māṇavā) said this to the Blessed One: "Let not the worthy Gotama put down the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha too severely with the word 'son of a slave-woman.' The young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is well-born, worthy Gotama; the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is a clansman; the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is learned; the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is a fine speaker; the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is wise; and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is capable of debating with the worthy Gotama on this matter."
Then the Blessed One said this to those young brahmins: "If you young brahmins think thus: 'The young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is ill-born, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is not a clansman, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is of little learning, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is not a fine speaker, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is of poor wisdom, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is not capable of debating with the ascetic Gotama on this matter,' then let the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha stand aside, and you debate with me on this matter. But if you young brahmins think thus: 'The young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is well-born, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is a clansman, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is learned, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is a fine speaker, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is wise, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is capable of debating with the ascetic Gotama on this matter,' then you stand aside, and let the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha debate with me on this matter."
"The young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is well-born, worthy Gotama, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is a clansman, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is learned, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is a fine speaker, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is wise, and the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha is capable of debating with the worthy Gotama on this matter. We shall remain silent; let the young brahmin Ambaṭṭha debate with the worthy Gotama on this matter."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.