Then the venerable Ananda approached the Lord,
prostrated himself and sat down to one side. Sitting
there the venerable Ananda said to the Lord:
“Half of this holy life, Lord, is good and noble
friends, companionship with the good, association
with the good.”
“Do not say that, Ananda. Do not say that,
Ananda. It is the whole of this holy life, this friend-
ship, companionship, and association with the
good.”
-From the Samyutta Nikaya,
Translated by John Ireland
