Dūteyya Sutta (AN 8.16) – The Discourse on Messenger Duty

6. The Discourse on Messenger Duty

16. More Details "Monks, a monk possessed of eight qualities is worthy to go on messenger duty. Which eight? Here, monks, a monk is a listener, one who causes to hear, a learner, a retainer, one who cognises, one who causes to cognise, skilled in what is connected with meaning and what is not connected with meaning, and not a maker of disputes - Monks, a monk possessed of these eight qualities is worthy to go on messenger duty. Monks, Sāriputta, possessed of eight qualities, is worthy to go on messenger duty. Which eight? Here, monks, Sāriputta is a listener, one who causes to hear, a learner, a retainer, one who cognises, one who causes to cognise, skilled in what is connected with meaning and what is not connected with meaning, and not a maker of disputes. Monks, Sāriputta, possessed of these eight qualities, is worthy to go on messenger duty."

"Whoever indeed does not tremble having reached an assembly of fierce speakers;

And does not omit the word, and does not conceal the message.

"And speaks without doubt, and when questioned does not become angry;

Such a monk indeed is worthy to go on messenger duty." The sixth.