The Long Āgama Sūtra 16.24

16.24

「制非防惡親，慈愍在他親；
利人益彼親，同事齊己親。
此親乃可親，智者所附近；
親中無等親，如慈母親子。
若欲親可親，當親堅固親；
親者戒具足，如火光照人。」

“Those who stop what’s wrong defend friends from evil,
The merciful put themselves in others’ places,
The beneficial person benefits their friends,
And the cooperative treat friends like themselves.

These are the people to befriend;
Wise people keep them close at hand.
Among friends, they are unparalleled,
Just as a kind mother is her child’s friend.

If someone wants people to befriend,
He’ll be friends with substantial friends.
The friend who perfects the precepts
Is like a torch-bearer lighting the way.”