Chapter 81: Old Familiarity

Verse 807
A limb, fallen from a large tree, has broken the chariot and injured the passengers. In the foreground the maker of the chariot apologizes to the charioteer, who assures the man that it was not his fault.

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Weaver’s Wisdom

Verse 801

What is old familiarity? It is when neither friend
objects to liberties taken by the other.

Verse 802

Liberties taken by a friend are friendship’s rightful possession;
to allow them is the willing duty of wise men.

Verse 803

What is the purpose of long-standing fellowship
if friends’ familiar actions are not accepted as one’s own?

Verse 804

Familiar with familiarity, the wise are never annoyed
when friends do things without asking.

Verse 805

When friends do things that hurt you, attribute it
to unawareness or to the privileges of friendship.

Verse 806

Bound by brotherhood, true friends never break their bond
with an old comrade, even if he brings them loss.

Verse 807

Old friends do not forsake loving fellowships,
even when those they cherish happen to do them harm.

Verse 808

An intimate of any strength will never listen to faults said of friends;
and on the day a friend offends, he is content to keep silent.

Verse 809

The world cherishes faithful men who never forsake
old friendships, worn by time but unbroken.

Verse 810

Even ill-wishers will wish those well
who never abandon affection for old friends.