2.3.6. Friendship
781 What so hard for men to gain as friendship true? 95 What so sure defence ‘gainst all that foe can do? What things are there so difficult to acquire as friendship ? What guards are there so difficult to break through by the efforts (of one’s foes) ?
782 Friendship with men fulfilled of good Waxes like the crescent moon; Friendship with men of foolish mood, Like the full orb, waneth soon. The friendship of the wise waxes like the new moon; (but) that of fools wanes like the full moon.
783 Learned scroll the more you ponder, Sweeter grows the mental food; So the heart by use grows fonder, Bound in friendship with the good. Like learning, the friendship of the noble, the more it is cultivated, the more delightful does it become.
784 Nor for laughter only friendship all the pleasant day, But for strokes of sharp reproving, when from right you stray. Friendship is to be practised not for the purpose of laughing but for that of being beforehand in giving one another sharp rebukes in case of transgression.
785 Not association constant, not affection’s token bind; ‘Tis the unison of feeling friends unites of kindred mind. Living together and holding frequent intercourse are not necessary (for friendship); (mutual) understanding can alone create a claim for it.
786 Not the face’s smile of welcome shows the friend sincere, But the heart’s rejoicing gladness when the friend is near. The love that dwells (merely in the smiles of the face is not friendship; (but) that which dwells deep in the smiles of the heart is true friendship.
787 Friendship from ruin saves, in way of virtue keeps; In troublous time, it weeps with him who weeps. (True) friendship turns aside from evil (ways) makes (him) walk in the (good) way, and, in case of loss if shares his sorrow (with him).
788 As hand of him whose vesture slips away, Friendship at once the coming grief will stay. (True) friendship hastens to the rescue of the afflicted (as readily) as the hand of one whose garment is loosened (before an assembly).
789 And where is friendship’s royal seat? In stable mind, Where friend in every time of need support may find. Friendship may be said to be on its throne when it possesses the power of supporting one at all times and under all circumstances, (in the practice or virtue and wealth). 96
790 Mean is the friendship that men blazon forth, ‘He’s thus to me’ and ‘such to him my worth’. Though friends may praise one another saying, “He is so intimate with us, and we so much (with him)”; (still) such friendship will appear mean.
2.3.7. Investigation in forming Friendships
791 To make an untried man your friend is ruin sure; For friendship formed unbroken must endure. As those who are of a friendly nature will not forsake (a friend) after once loving (him), there is no evil so great as contracting a friendship without due inquiry.
792 Alliance with the man you have not proved and proved again, In length of days will give you mortal pain. The friendship contracted by him who has not made repeated inquiry will in the end grieve (him) to death.
793 Temper, descent, defects, associations free From blame: know these, then let the man be friend to thee. Make friendship (with one) after ascertaining (his) character, birth, defects and the whole of one’s relations.
794 Who, born of noble race, from guilt would shrink with shame, Pay any price so you as friend that man may claim. The friendship of one who belongs to a (good) family and is afraid of (being charged with) guilt, is worth even purchasing.
795 Make them your chosen friend whose words repentance move, With power prescription’s path to show, while evil they reprove. You should examine and secure the friendship of those who can speak so as to make you weep over a crime (before its commission) or rebuke you severely (after you have done it) and are able to teach you (the ways of) the world.
796 Ruin itself one blessing lends: ‘Tis staff that measures out one’s friends. Even in ruin there is some good; (for) it is a rod by which one may measure fully (the affection of one’s) relations.
797 ‘Tis gain to any man, the sages say, Friendship of fools to put away. It is indead a gain for one to renounce the friendship of fools. 9 7
798 Think not the thoughts that dwarf the soul; nor take For friends the men who friends in time of grief forsake. Do not think of things that discourage your mind, nor contract friendship with those who would forsake you in adversity.
799 Of friends deserting us on ruin’s brink, ‘Tis torture e’en in life’s last hour to think. The very thought of the friendship of those who have deserted one at the approach of adversity will burn one’s mind at the time of death.
800 Cling to the friendship of the spotless one’s; whate’er you pay. Renounce alliance with the men of evil way. Continue to enjoy the friendship of the pure; (but) renounce even with a gift, the friendship of those who do not agree (with the world).