I'm not sure if this will be the direct reference you need. But the context is similar. It is in the `book of the five' (A.III.86-87). Here, the Buddha was asked about `dhammavihaarii.' Hence he mentions five categories of disciples:

1. a monk who is of much learning' (pariyatta-bahulo)
2. a monk who is of much proclamation (pa~n~natti-bahulo)
3. a monk who is of much recitation' (sajjhaaya-bahulo)
4. a monk who is of much reflection/thought (vitakka-bahulo)
5. a monk who is living by the dhamma' (dhammavihaarii).

`Dhammavihaarii' is described as

…bhikkhu dhamma.m pariyaapu.naati: sutta.m geyya.m veyyaakara.na.m gaatha.m udaana.m itivuttaka.m jaataka.m abbhutadhamma.m vedalla.m. So taaya dhammapariyattiyaa na divasa.m atinaameti, na ri~ncati pa.tisallaana.m,
anuyu~njati ajjhatta.m cetosamatha.m. Eva.m kho Bhikkhu bhikkhu dhammavihaarii hoti.

A monk who learns and masters the Buddhist teachings (scripture), does not spend his day attempting to master the teaching, but attempts to seclude himself for the sake of inner calmness of the mind. He is, thus, called `a monk who is living by the dhamma'.

I hope this is useful.

All the best,
Chanida

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "pgd2507" <pgd2507@...> wrote:
>
> I have noticed quite often people commenting upon others thus, "you have been meditating/studying the dhamma but there is no change in you!".
>
> Is there something the buddha said in this regard?
>