Skip to reading
← Aṅguttara Nikāya

A Friend (2nd)

AN 7.37 · Dutiyamittasutta

Fine exposed roots cross a forest bank beside a clear spring.

“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.”

Connections

Collection & context

Books

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.