This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“Taking into account exterior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very helpful as good friendship for a trainee mendicant who hasn’t achieved their heart’s desire, but lives aspiring to the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. “Sekhassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appattamānasassa anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ patthayamānassa viharato bāhiraṁ aṅganti karitvā nāññaṁ ekaṅgampi samanupassāmi yaṁ evaṁ bahūpakāraṁ yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, kalyāṇamittatā. A mendicant who has good friends gives up the unskillful and develops the skillful.” Kalyāṇamitto, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akusalaṁ pajahati, kusalaṁ bhāvetī”ti.

The Buddha spoke this matter. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. On this it is said: Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“A mendicant with good friends “Kalyāṇamitto yo bhikkhu, is reverential and respectful sappatisso sagāravo; when their friends are speaking, Karaṁ mittānaṁ vacanaṁ, aware and mindful. sampajāno patissato; Gradually they would attain Pāpuṇe anupubbena, the ending of all fetters.” sabbasaṁyojanakkhayan”ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard. Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

Sattamaṁ.