The Long Āgama Sūtra 16.22

16.22

佛告善生：「有四親可親，多所饒益，為人救護。云何為四？一者止非，二者慈愍，三者利人，四者同事，是為四親可親，多所饒益，為人救護，當親近之。善生！彼止非有四事，多所饒益，為人救護。云何為四？一者見人為惡則能遮止，二者示人正直，三者慈心愍念，四者示人天路。是為四止非，多所饒益，為人救護。

The Buddha addressed Sujata, “There are four friends who bring many benefits when befriended and who will help and protect a person. What are the four? 1. Those who stop what’s wrong, 2. who are merciful, 3. who are beneficial, and 4. who are cooperative. These four friends bring many benefits when befriended and will help and protect a person. They should be befriended.

“Sujata, there are four things about those who stop what’s wrong, which bring many benefits and help and protect a person. What are the four? 1. They can stop someone who they see are doing evil, 2. they show people what’s honest and correct, 3. they’re kind, sympathetic, and mindful, and 4. they show a person the road to heaven. These are the four things about those who stop what’s wrong, which bring many benefits and help and protect a person.