“It’s not easy, Ananda, to teach the Dhamma to others. The Dhamma should be taught to others when five qualities are established within oneself. Which five?
“[1] The Dhamma should be taught to others thinking, ‘I will speak step-by- step.
“[2] The Dhamma should be taught to others thinking, ‘I will speak for practical reasons.’
“[3] The Dhamma should be taught to others thinking, ‘I will speak grounded in kindness.’
“[4] The Dhamma should be taught to others thinking, ‘I will not speak for material reward.’
“[5] The Dhamma should be taught to others thinking, ‘I will speak without wounding myself or others.’
“It’s not easy, Ananda, to teach the Dhamma to others. The Dhamma should be taught to others when five qualities are established within oneself.
Translated by Gil Fronsdal
Numerical Discourses 5.159
“It’s not easy, Ananda, to teach the Dhamma to others. The Dhamma should be taught to others when five qualities are established within oneself. Which five?