Reading guide
The literal master thief's five factors
A master thief relies on inaccessible or rugged terrain, relies on thick natural cover, relies on powerful patrons — rulers or chief ministers — for protection if accused, pays bribes to settle any accusation, and works entirely alone so that ‘secret plans are not leaked to others’.
The mapping, factor by factor
‘Rough ground’ becomes unethical conduct in body, speech, and mind — a terrain that shelters wrongdoing. ‘Thick cover’ becomes wrong view, specifically an ‘extremist view’ that provides ideological cover. ‘The powerful’ becomes, quite literally, relying on actual rulers and ministers for protection if accused. ‘Bribes’ becomes using the material support a monk receives — robes, food, lodging, medicine — specifically to buy off an accuser's silence. ‘Acting alone’ becomes dwelling deliberately in the borderlands to extract material support from families without oversight.
Where the mapping is literal, not merely figurative
The third factor deserves particular notice: a corrupt mendicant relying on political protection isn't a metaphor for the thief's reliance on the powerful — it's structurally the same thing, described in the same terms, making this simile unusually direct compared to most figurative discourses in this collection.
The verdict, stated plainly
Such a mendicant ‘keeps themselves broken and damaged’, deserves blame from sensible people, and generates much wickedness — strong, direct language closing the simile without qualification.
This nipāta's fourth extended simile
Alongside the fortress (AN 5.71–72), the graded warriors (AN 5.75–76), and the lion (AN 5.99), the master thief is this nipāta's fourth extended figurative discourse — and its darkest, using crime rather than combat or nature to make its point.
Key terms
The text
The master thief's five factors
§1“Mendicants, a master thief with five factors breaks into houses, plunders wealth, steals from isolated buildings, and commits highway robbery. What five? A master thief relies on rough ground, on thick cover, and on the powerful; they pay bribes, and they act alone.
Rough ground, and thick cover
§2And how does a master thief rely on rough ground? It’s when a master thief relies on inaccessible riverlands or rugged mountains. That’s how a master thief relies on rough ground. And how does a master thief rely on thick cover? It’s when a master thief relies on thick grass, thick trees, a blind spot, or a large forest grove. That’s how a master thief relies on thick cover.
The powerful, and bribes
§3And how does a master thief rely on the powerful? It’s when a master thief relies on rulers or their chief ministers. They think: ‘If anyone accuses me of anything, these rulers or their chief ministers will speak in my defense in the case.’ And that’s exactly what happens. That’s how a master thief relies on the powerful. And how does a master thief pay bribes? It’s when a master thief is rich, affluent, and wealthy. They think: ‘If anyone accuses me of anything, I’ll settle it with a bribe.’ And that’s exactly what happens. That’s how a master thief pays bribes.
Acting alone
§4And how does a master thief act alone? It’s when a master thief carries out robbery all alone. Why is that? So that their secret plans are not leaked to others. That’s how a master thief acts alone. A master thief with these five factors breaks into houses, plunders wealth, steals from isolated buildings, and commits highway robbery.
The bad mendicant, mapped
§5In the same way, when a bad mendicant has five qualities, they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness. What five? A bad mendicant relies on rough ground, on thick cover, and on the powerful; they pay bribes, and they act alone.
Rough ground: unethical conduct
§6And how does a bad mendicant rely on rough ground? It’s when a bad mendicant has unethical conduct by way of body, speech, and mind. That’s how a bad mendicant relies on rough ground.
Thick cover: extremist view
§7And how does a bad mendicant rely on thick cover? It’s when a bad mendicant has wrong view, he’s attached to an extremist view. That’s how a bad mendicant relies on thick cover.
The powerful, and bribes, once more
§8And how does a bad mendicant rely on the powerful? It’s when a bad mendicant relies on rulers or their chief ministers. They think: ‘If anyone accuses me of anything, these rulers or their chief ministers will speak in my defense in the case.’ And that’s exactly what happens. That’s how a bad mendicant relies on the powerful. And how does a bad mendicant pay bribes? It’s when a bad mendicant receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. They think: ‘If anyone accuses me of anything, I’ll settle it with a bribe.’ And that’s exactly what happens. That’s how a bad mendicant pays bribes.
Acting alone, in the borderlands
§9And how does a bad mendicant act alone? It’s when a bad mendicant dwells alone in the borderlands. They visit families there to acquire material things. That’s how a bad mendicant acts alone. When a bad mendicant possesses these five qualities, they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much wickedness.”
Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.