Mil 3.7.14 — 14. Question on the Subtle

English translation by John Kelly.

Translation

Text

Milinda’s Questions
Analysis of Formless Dhammas Chapter
14. Question on the Subtle
The king asked: “Venerable Nāgasena, is it possible to cut through the subtlest of all things?” “Yes, your majesty, it is possible to cut through the subtlest of all things.” “Then what, venerable sir, is the subtlest of all things?” “The Dhamma, your majesty, is the subtlest of all things. But not all qualities are subtle, your majesty, subtle or coarse is a designation for a quality. Whatever is to be cut through, all that is cut through by wisdom. There is nothing else other than wisdom for cutting through.”
“You are clever, Venerable Nāgasena!”
Question on the Subtle fourteenth