"A fool is characterized by his/her actions. A wise person is characterized by his/her actions. It's through the activities of one's life that one's discernment shines. "A person endowed with three things is to be recognized as a fool. Which three? Bodily misconduct, verbal misconduct, mental misconduct... "A person endowed with three things is to be recognized as a wise person. Which three? Good bodily conduct, good verbal conduct, good mental conduct... "Thus, ladies and gentlemen, you should train yourselves: 'We will avoid the three things that, endowed with which, one is to be recognized as a fool. We will undertake & maintain the three things that, endowed with which, one is to be recognized as a wise person.' That's how you should train yourselves." (adapted from Pali Sutta AN 3.2)

On Transformation

Good people, I do not say that the attainment of faith is all at once. Rather, the attainment of faith is after gradual training, gradual action, gradual practice. And how is there the attainment of faith after gradual training, gradual action, gradual practice? There is the case where, when conviction has arisen, one visits a Teacher. Having visited, one grows close. Having grown close, one lends ear. Having lent ear, one hears the Word. Having heard the Word, one remembers it. Remembering, one penetrates the meaning of the teachings. Penetrating the meaning, one comes to an agreement through pondering the teachings. There being an agreement through pondering the teachings, desire arises. When desire has arisen, one is willing. When one is willing, one contemplates. Having contemplated, one makes an exertion. Having made an exertion, one realizes with the body the ultimate truth and, having penetrated it with discernment, sees it, knows it and is forever transformed. (adapted from sutta MN 70 via Access to Insight)