“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way good friendship is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

Linked Discourses 45.57–61 6. Abbreviated Texts on the Sun Five Discourses on Accomplishment in Ethics, Etc. (2nd)

“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way accomplishment in ethics is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

Linked Discourses 45.62 6. Abbreviated Texts on the Sun Accomplishment in Rational Application of Mind (2nd)