" Four are the friends which should be reckoned as sound at heart: the helper; the friend who is the same in happiness and adversity; the friend of good counsel and the friend who sympathizes.

The friend who is a helper is to be reckoned sound at heart because he guards you when you are off your guard and he is a refuge to you when you are afraid.

The friend who is the same in happiness and adversity is to be reckoned sound at heart because he tells you his secrets, he keeps your secrets, in your troubles he does not forsake you, he lays down even his life for your sake.

The friend who declares what you need to do is sound of heart because he restrains you from doing wrong, he enjoins you to do what is right, he informs you of things that you have not heard before, he reveals to you to the way of heaven.

The friend who sympathizes is to be reckoned sound at heart because he does not rejoice over your misfortunes, he rejoices over your prosperity, he restrains anyone who is speaking ill of you, he commends anyone who is praising you."

Thus spoke the enlightened one.





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