“Mendicants, a mendicant with eight qualities is worthy of going on a mission. What eight? It’s a mendicant who learns and educates others. They memorize and help others remember. They understand and help others understand. They’re skilled at knowing what’s on topic and what isn’t. And they don’t cause disputes. A mendicant with these eight qualities is worthy of going on a mission. With eight qualities Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission. What eight? He learns and educates others. He memorizes and helps others remember. He understands and helps others understand. He’s skilled at knowing what’s on topic and what isn’t. And he doesn’t cause disputes. With these eight qualities Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission.

They don’t tremble when arriving
at an assembly of fierce debaters.
They don’t omit any words,
or conceal the instructions.

Their words aren’t poisoned,
and they don’t tremble when questioned.
A mendicant of this kind
is worthy of going on a mission.”