SOURCE: "FIVE SAMYUTTAS FROM SAGATHAVAGGA
SAMYUTTA"
Translated by U Tin U (Myaung), Yangon
Edited by the Editorial Committee, Burma
(Myanmar) Tipitaka Association, 1998
4. Vatthu Sutta
Discourse on the Mainstay
54. (The deva said:)
"What is the
mainstay of people? Who is one's best friend in the world? On what do the
beings that live on land depend for their livelihood?"
(The Bhagava said:)
"Children ar the mainstay* of people. The wife is one's
best friend. The beings that live on land depend on the rain for their
livelihood."
* Children are the mainstay: This is
particularly true when a parent gets old and infirm.