Confucius Friendship Quotations

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

A youth, when at home, should be filial and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.

Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep; for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.

Have no friends not equal to yourself.

Silence is the true friend that never betrays.

There are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright; friendship with the sincere; and friendship with the man of much observation: these are advantageous. Friendship with the man of specious airs; friendship with the insinuatingly soft; and friendship with the glib-tongued: these are injurious.

There are three sorts of pleasures which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Finding pleasure in the discriminating study of ceremonies and music, finding pleasure in discussing the good points in the conduct of others, and finding pleasure in having many wise friends, these are advantageous. But finding pleasure in profligate enjoyments, finding pleasure in idle gadding about, and finding pleasure in feasting, these are injurious.

Between friends, frequent reproofs make the friendship distant.