Ignorance is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, and wisdom is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities.
Thus I have heard - At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in Sāvatthi, at Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. There, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus, "Bhikkhus."
"Venerable sir," the bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this:
"Ignorance (illusion of knowledge, not knowing), bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, with shamelessness (lack of conscience) and moral recklessness (fearlessness of wrongdoing) following behind. For one who is immersed in ignorance, bhikkhus, wrong view arises; for one with wrong view, wrong intention arises; for one with wrong intention, wrong speech arises; for one with wrong speech, wrong action arises; for one with wrong action, wrong livelihood arises; for one with wrong livelihood, wrong effort arises; for one with wrong effort, wrong mindfulness arises; for one with wrong mindfulness, wrong collectedness arises.
"Wisdom, bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities, with a sense of shame and fear of wrongdoing (respect for oneself and others) following along. For one who has arrived at wisdom, bhikkhus, right view arises; for one with right view, right intention arises; for one with right intention, right speech arises; for one with right speech, right action arises; for one with right action, right livelihood arises; for one with right livelihood, right effort arises; for one with right effort, right mindfulness arises; for one with right mindfulness, right collectedness (mental composure, stability of the mind) arises."
Related Teachings:
Navigating through 30 mental qualities that lead to enlightenment, to the arising of the Buddha (AN 10.76) ↗️ - The Buddha lays down 30 different mental qualities in ten sets of threes that lead all the way to enlightenment. He explains them both backwards and forwards.
Importance of cultivating wisdom (AN 76 - 81) - A series of short teachings of the Buddha highlighting the importance of cultivation of wisdom.
