[194] "That is so, brahmin! That is so, brahmin! For wisdom (paññā) is cleansed by moral conduct (sīla), and moral conduct is cleansed by wisdom. Where there is moral conduct, there is wisdom; where there is wisdom, there is moral conduct. The person of moral conduct has wisdom, and the wise person has moral conduct; and moral conduct and wisdom are declared the foremost in the world. Just as, brahmin, one might wash one hand with the other hand, or wash one foot with the other foot, even so, brahmin, wisdom is cleansed by moral conduct, and moral conduct is cleansed by wisdom. Where there is moral conduct, there is wisdom; where there is wisdom, there is moral conduct. The person of moral conduct has wisdom, and the wise person has moral conduct; and moral conduct and wisdom are declared the foremost in the world.
But what, brahmin, is that moral conduct, and what is that wisdom?"
"This much, worthy Gotama, is the very limit of our knowledge. As to what the meaning may be, it would be good indeed if the meaning of this statement were to become clear to the worthy Gotama himself."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.