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One who transgresses conscience (hiri), loathing it,
who says, "I am your companion (sakhā),"
yet does not take up deeds that lie within his power —
one should know of him: "He is no [friend] of mine."
Whoever among friends makes pleasant speech
that is not followed through [in deed],
him the wise comprehend
as one who speaks without acting.
He is no friend who, ever on the alert,
suspects a rift, looking only for a flaw;
but he on whom one rests, as a son upon the breast —
he truly is a friend, who cannot be divided [from one] by others.
The ground that makes for gladness (pāmojja),
the happiness that brings praise —
one looking to the reward of fruit develops these,
carrying the burden worthy of a man.
Having drunk the taste of seclusion (paviveka)
and the taste of peace (upasama),
one becomes free of distress, free of evil,
drinking the taste of rapture in the Dhamma (dhammapīti).
The Hiri Sutta, the third.
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In the Suttanipāta: the Maṅgala Sutta, the fourth [discourse] of the second chapter, the Cūḷavagga.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.