sutta » sn » sn1 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.53

Mittasutta

The Friend A Friend

“Kiṁsu pavasato mittaṁ,
“What is the friend of one on a journey?
“Who’s your friend abroad?

kiṁsu mittaṁ sake ghare;
What is the friend in one’s own home?
Who’s your friend at home?

Kiṁ mittaṁ atthajātassa,
What is the friend of one in need?
Who’s your friend in need?

kiṁ mittaṁ samparāyikan”ti.
What is the friend in the future life?”
Who’s your friend in the next life?”

“Sattho pavasato mittaṁ,
“A caravan is the friend of one on a journey;
“A caravan is your friend abroad.

mātā mittaṁ sake ghare;
A mother is the friend in one’s own home;
Mother is your friend at home.

Sahāyo atthajātassa,
A comrade when the need arises
A comrade in a time of need

hoti mittaṁ punappunaṁ;
Is one’s friend again and again.
is a friend time and again.

Sayaṅkatāni puññāni,
The deeds of merit one has done—
But the good deeds you’ve done yourself—

taṁ mittaṁ samparāyikan”ti.
That is the friend in the future life. ”
that’s your friend in the next life.”