Reading guide
A patient's own conduct, assessed practically
Unlike most of this nipāta's lists, this discourse's subject is not a mendicant's general virtue but a sick person's specific behavior as a patient.
Five behaviors that make care difficult
Doing what is unsuitable; not knowing moderation in what is suitable; not taking medicine; failing to accurately report symptoms — worsening, improving, or unchanged — even though the carer genuinely wants what's best; and being unable to endure severe physical pain.
Honest reporting, singled out
The fourth item deserves particular notice: even when a carer's intentions are genuinely good, a patient who won't accurately report their own condition makes that goodwill practically useless. Good care depends on honest information, not just good intentions on either side.
The mirrored positive
The easy-to-care-for patient does the exact opposite in each respect: follows suitable conduct, knows moderation, takes medicine, reports honestly, and endures pain.
A companion discourse to come
AN 5.124 turns the same lens around, describing the carer's side of this same relationship — what makes someone competent or incompetent at caring for the sick.
Key terms
The text
Hard to care for
§1“Mendicants, a patient with five qualities is hard to care for. What five? They do what is unsuitable. They don’t know moderation in what is suitable. They don’t take their medicine. Though their carer wants what’s best for them, they don’t accurately report their symptoms by saying when they’re getting worse, getting better, or staying the same. And they cannot endure physical pain—sharp, severe, acute, unpleasant, disagreeable, and life-threatening. A patient with these five qualities is hard to care for.
Easy to care for
§2A patient with five qualities is easy to care for. What five? They do what is suitable. They know moderation in what is suitable. They take their medicine. Because their carer wants what’s best for them, they accurately report their symptoms by saying when they’re getting worse, getting better, or staying the same. And they can endure physical pain—sharp, severe, acute, unpleasant, disagreeable, and life-threatening. A patient with these five qualities is easy to care for.”
Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.