[106] Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu possessed of eight qualities is worthy to go on a mission (dūteyya). What eight? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who listens, one who makes others listen, one who learns well, one who retains what he has learned, one who understands, one who makes others understand, one who is skilled in what is relevant and what is irrelevant, and one who does not create quarrels. Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu possessed of these eight qualities is worthy to go on a mission.
Bhikkhus, Sāriputta is possessed of eight qualities and is worthy to go on a mission. What eight? Here, bhikkhus, Sāriputta is one who listens, one who makes others listen, one who learns well, one who retains what he has learned, one who understands, one who makes others understand, one who is skilled in what is relevant and what is irrelevant, and one who does not create quarrels. Bhikkhus, Sāriputta, possessed of these eight qualities, is worthy to go on a mission.
One who does not tremble when he has spoken
before an assembly of learned debaters,
who does not omit the words
nor obscure the message,
who speaks without ambiguity,
and when questioned does not become angry—
a bhikkhu such as this, indeed,
is worthy to go on a mission.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.