1v.189 "What is the support of human beings?
What is the best companion here?
The creatures who dwell on the earth—
By what do they sustain their life?"

2v.190 "Sons are the support of human beings,
A wife the best companion;
The creatures who dwell on the earth
Sustain their life by rain." [n.118] Spk: Sons are the support (vatthu) of human beings because they care for their parents in old age. A wife is the best companion because one can confide to her one's most personal secrets.

1"Kiṁsu vatthu manussānaṁ,
kiṁsūdha paramo sakhā;
Kiṁsu bhūtā upajīvanti,
ye pāṇā pathavissitā"ti.

2"Puttā vatthu manussānaṁ,
bhariyā ca paramo sakhā;
Vuṭṭhiṁ bhūtā upajīvanti,
ye pāṇā pathavissitā"ti.