Numbered Discourses 7.37

1. 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 likable, 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.”