82. Harmful Friendship

Though unscrupulous men may seem to consume you in friendship,
their companionship grows more delightful as it declines.

What does it matter if one gains or loses the friendship
of manipulators who befriend to gain and otherwise forsake?

Prostitutes, thieves and people who make friends
to make money are all alike.

Some men are like an untrained horse that throws its rider
on the battlefield. Loneliness is better than their friendship. 

Better to give up than to gain the friendship of inferior men
who stay away when they should stay and help.

The enmity of the wise is ten million times 
better than intimate friendship with fools. 

An enemy's rancor is a hundred million times more worthwhile
than companionship with fellows who always clown around. 

If friends feign inability to discharge reasonable tasks, 
remain silent and gradually give up their friendship. 

The fellowship of men whose acts
belie their spoken words is bitter, even in dreams. 

There are men who will cherish you in private but censure you
in public--avoid their every befriending approach.