Chapter 79: Friendship

Verse 786
Three friends have come to the courtyard of a fourth. Two of them have a smile on their face and also in their heart. The third is smiling outwardly, but not within.

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Weaver’s Wisdom

Verse 781

What is as difficult to secure as friendship?
And what greater security is there against foes?

Verse 782

With wise men, friendship waxes like the crescent moon;
with fools, it wanes as surely as the full moon must.

Verse 783

The bonds that good men share are like good bound books,
revealing new enchantments at each new encounter.

Verse 784

What matters in making friends is not merrymaking,
but a stern rebuking when friends go astray.

Verse 785

It is not constant meeting and companionship,
but shared sensibilities that confer the alliance of friendship.

Verse 786

A smiling face is no sure sign of friendship.
Friendship is found deep within a smiling heart.

Verse 787

To divert a man from wrong, direct him toward right
and share his sorrow in misfortune is comradeship.

Verse 788

As swiftly as the hand moves to seize a slipping garment,
friendship acts to assuage a friend’s distress.

Verse 789

Where does Friendship hold her court? It is where friends
find constant support in every possible circumstance.

Verse 790

To boast, “He means so much to me, and I to him,”
merely belittles a friendship.