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FRIENDSHIP One who holds his friends in good esteem and treats them with respect has gained many defenders and supporters against his enemies. *
* * * * * * * * * *
The need for
faithful friends is no less than need for the vital necessities
of life. Being among a secure and peaceful circle of friends
means finding safety against many sorts of hazard and danger. *
* * * * * * * * * * He is wise who,
if a friendship is damaged, immediately removes the cause of
discontentment and restores good relations. But even wiser is
the one who is careful enough to avoid or prevent disagreement
with his friends in the first place. *
* * * * * * * * * * Love and good
relations between friends continue so long as they understand
each other, show self-denial and make sacrifices within permissible
limits. The friendship between those who cannot renounce their
interests and preferences for the sake of their friends cannot
be enduring. *
* * * * * * * * * * One is loyal
and faithful to one's friends to the extent one shares in their
troubles as well as in their joys. The one who cannot weep when
his friends weep and rejoice when they rejoice cannot be regarded
as a faithful friend. *
* * * * * * * * * * If we cannot
accept the criticism made of us by those we love and who love
us, we may lose our friends and remain unaware of our defects. *
* * * * * * * * * * One who maintains
a friendship with a friend who has fallen on hard times is a
true, loyal friend. Whoever does not support his friends against
their misfortunes has nothing to do with friendship. *
* * * * * * * * * * Those who tend
to disagree and struggle with their friends have few friends.
One who desires to have friends both faithful and in great number
should avoid disagreement with them on trivial matters. *
* * * * * * * * * * Friendship is
something pertaining to the heart and its sincerity. Those who
think they can gain others' friendship through deception and
hypocrisy are themselves in a manifest deception. Even if there
are around them some simple-minded people who have been taken
in by their hypocrisy and flattery, it is inconceivable that
they will long be able to sustain friendship with them. *
* * * * * * * * * * Do not remember
the promises that others have failed to keep; instead, consider
the undertakings you yourself have failed to carry out. Do not
blame others because they have not done good to you; instead,
remember the chances you have missed of doing something good
to someone else. |