7.
The Second Discourse on the Learner
17.
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"For a monk who is a learner, monks, who has not attained his goal, dwelling aspiring for the unsurpassed freedom from bondage, taking an external factor into account, I do not perceive any other single factor that is thus very helpful as this, monks, good friendship. A monk with good friends, monks, abandons the unwholesome, develops the wholesome." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
"Whatever monk has good friends, deferential, respectful;
Doing what friends say, fully aware, mindful;
May reach gradually the elimination of all fetters."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The seventh.