Sutta Nipāta 15

Anthology of Discourses 2.3

Conscientious Companionship

1 Flouting conscience, loathing it,

saying “I’m on your side”,

but not following up in deeds—

know they’re not on your side.

2 Some say nice things to their friends

without following it up.

The wise will recognize

one who talks without doing.

3 No true friend relentlessly

suspects betrayal, looking for fault.

One on whom you rest, like a child on the breast,

is a true friend, not split from you by others.

4 One whose reward is the fruit

of bearing the burden of service

develops a happy state,

producing joy and attracting praise.

5 One who has drunk the nectar of seclusion

and the nectar of peace,

free of stress, free of evil,

drinks the joyous nectar of Dhamma.