[129] Setting at Sāvatthī. Bhikkhus, when the sun is rising, this is its forerunner, this is its precursor, namely, the breaking of dawn (aruṇugga). So too, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu, this is the forerunner, this is the precursor of the arising of the noble eightfold path (ariya aṭṭhaṅgika magga), namely, good friendship (kalyāṇamittatā). Bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu has a good friend, this is to be expected: he will develop the noble eightfold path, he will cultivate the noble eightfold path.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.