Mendicants, you should associate with a friend who has seven factors. What seven? They give what is hard to give. They do what is hard to do. They endure what is hard to endure. They reveal their secrets to you. They keep your secrets. They don’t abandon you in times of trouble. They don’t look down on you in times of loss. You should associate with a friend who has these seven factors.

A friend gives what is hard to give,

and does what’s hard to do.

They put up with your harsh words,

and with things hard to endure.

They tell you their secrets,

and keep your secrets for you.

They don’t abandon you in times of trouble,

or look down on you in times of loss.

The individual in whom

these things are found is your friend.

If you want to have a friend,

you should keep company with that sort.”

Numbered Discourses 7.37 4. Deities A Friend (2nd)

“Mendicants, when a friend has seven qualities you should associate with, accompany, and attend them, even if they drive you away. What seven? They’re liked, agreeable, respected, and admired. They admonish you and they accept admonishment. They speak on deep matters. And they don’t urge you to do bad things. When a friend has these seven qualities you should associate with, accompany, and attend them, even if they drive you away.

They’re liked, respected, and admired,

an admonisher who accepts admonishment,

speaks on deep matters,

and doesn’t urge you to do bad.

The individual in whom

these things are found is your friend.

If you want to have a friend,

benevolent and sympathetic,

then even if they chase you away,

you should keep company with that sort.”

Numbered Discourses 7.38 4. Deities Textual Analysis (1st)