Aṅguttara Nikāya
Sattaka Nipāta
IV. Devatā Vagga

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter IV: Devas

Sutta 36

Bhikkhu Mitta Suttaṃ

Friends 2

[18]

THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, let a monk cultivate,
follow,
honour
a friend who is endowed with seven things,¹
even though he (the monk) be driven away.²

What seven?

[19] He is genial,
pleasant,
grave,
cultured,³
a speaker,
bland,
profound in speech,
he urges one not untimely.⁴

Verily, monks, let a monk cultivate one so endowed.

A speaker, genial, grave, cultured, bland,
Profound in speech, not urging when not fit:
In whom these things are found, that is the friend
To cultivate if any need a friend, -
A man moved always by desire for weal,-⁵
Yea, tho' he drive thee forth,⁶ yet follow him.'

¹ Dhammā.

² Api panujjamānena, M. i, 108.

³ Bhāvanīyo. Cf. G.S. iii, 87.

⁴ Quoted at UdA. 222.

⁵ Attha-kāmānukampaka, √kamp.