“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?”“Sons are the support of human beings,
A wife the best companion;
The creatures who dwell on the earth
Sustain their life by rain.”
sn.1.54 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)
Support
- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Editor: Blake Walsh
Grounds
“What is the ground of human beings?What is the best companion here?
By what do the creatures who live off the earth
sustain their life?”
“Children are the ground of human beings.
A wife is the best companion.
The creatures who live off the earth
sustain their life by rain.”