FRIENDSHIP

BENEFICIAL FRIENDSHIP AND HARMFUL FRIENDSHIP

A Philosophical Approach

By

VIKRAM KARVE

I invest in books. 

 

Just like some other investments, where one invests and forgets about it for years, sometimes I buy a book and may not read it for years.

Whenever I buy a book, I always write the date and place of purchase. 

 

This morning while I was cleaning my bookcase, I came across a book titled A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy which I had picked up on 26 Jan 2003 at the annual Strand Book Fair at Churchgate Mumbai. I opened a random page and here is the gem of ancient wisdom that I read the following words about types of Friendship:

Confucius said:

 

There are three kinds of Friendship which are Beneficial and three kinds of Friendship which are Harmful.

Friendship with the Upright, with the Truthful, and with the well-informed is beneficial.

Friendship with those who flatter, with those who are meek and who compromise with principles, and with those who talk cleverly is harmful.

So, dear reader, while selecting who to befriend, bear in mind the above analect of Confucius.  

Well I always believe that it is best to have a philosophical approach to life. So I am going to read this book of ancient wisdom, and, from time to time, I will share with you some gems of ancient wisdom with you in my blog.

VIKRAM KARVE