[183] When this was said, those brahmins said to the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa: "According to the way in which the worthy Soṇadaṇḍa speaks in praise of the ascetic Gotama, even if that worthy Gotama were dwelling a hundred yojanas from here, it would be fitting for a faithful son of a good family to go to see him, even carrying provisions in a shoulder-bag." "Well then, sirs, let us all go to see the ascetic Gotama."
Then the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa, together with a great company of brahmins, approached the Gaggarā lotus pond. And as the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa passed beyond the forest thicket, this reflection arose in his mind: "If I were to ask the ascetic Gotama a question, and the ascetic Gotama were to say to me, 'Brahmin, this question should not be asked in that way; brahmin, this question should indeed be asked in this way'—then this assembly might despise me on that account, saying, 'The brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa is a fool, incompetent; he was not able to ask the ascetic Gotama a question in a well-reasoned manner.' And whomever this assembly despises, his reputation would decline; and whose reputation declines, his wealth too would decline—for our wealth is acquired through reputation.
"And if the ascetic Gotama were to ask me a question, and I should fail to satisfy his mind with my answer to that question, and the ascetic Gotama were to say to me, 'Brahmin, this question should not be answered in that way; brahmin, this question should indeed be answered in this way'—then this assembly might despise me on that account, saying, 'The brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa is a fool, incompetent; he was not able to satisfy the ascetic Gotama's mind with his answer to the question.' And whomever this assembly despises, his reputation would decline; and whose reputation declines, his wealth too would decline—for our wealth is acquired through reputation.
"And if, having come thus far, I should turn back without having seen the ascetic Gotama, then this assembly might despise me on that account, saying, 'The brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa is a fool, incompetent, stiff with conceit, and afraid; he did not dare to approach and see the ascetic Gotama. How indeed, having come thus far, could he turn back without having seen the ascetic Gotama?' And whomever this assembly despises, his reputation would decline; and whose reputation declines, his wealth too would decline—for our wealth is acquired through reputation."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.