1"Bhikkhus, one should associate with a bhikkhu friend who possesses seven qualities; one should resort to him and attend on him even if he dismisses you. What seven? (1) He is pleasing and agreeable; (2) he is respected and (3) esteemed; (4) he is a speaker; [n.1491] Vattā. Mp says only "he is skilled in speech" (vacanakusalo). Since giving deep talks is listed as a separate item, here presumably the meaning is that he gives good advice. (5) he patiently endures being spoken to; (6) he gives deep talks; and (7) he does not enjoin one to do what is wrong."

2He is dear, respected, and esteemed,
a speaker and one who endures speech;
he gives deep talks and does not enjoin one
to do what is wrong.

3The person here in whom
these qualities are found is a friend,
benevolent and compassionate.
Even if one is dismissed by him,
one desiring a friend
should resort to such a person.

1"Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu mitto sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo api panujjamānenapi. Katamehi sattahi? Piyo ca hoti manāpo ca garu ca bhāvanīyo ca vattā ca vacanakkhamo ca gambhīrañca kathaṁ kattā hoti, no ca aṭṭhāne niyojeti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu mitto sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo api panujjamānenapīti.

2Piyo garu bhāvanīyo,
vattā ca vacanakkhamo;
Gambhīrañca kathaṁ kattā,
no caṭṭhāne niyojako.

3Yamhi etāni ṭhānāni,
saṁvijjantīdha puggale;
So mitto mittakāmena,
atthakāmānukampato;
Api nāsiyamānena,
bhajitabbo tathāvidho"ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.