p in which pleasure predominates over righteousness cannot last。
11。 Those who claim many intimate friends have not even one intimate friend。
12。 Our duties towards our friends go as far as justice requires。
13。 Where there are friends; there is success。
14。 If we see a person’s friends are as numerous as trees in a forest; we know his virtue is very great。 If we see a person’s friends as few as the morning stars; we then know his virtue is very slight。
15。 To make friends with a noble person is difficult; to make friends with rascals is easy。 What is hard to bring together is hard to separate。 What is easily brought together is easily separated。
16。 If two persons are good friends in ordinary times; but for a small advantage or small disadvantage they bee enemies; this shows that their friendship is not based on virtue。 If a friendship is correct; advantages can be divided and shared。
17。 The end of making friends is only to imitate those who are better than oneself; or to teach one who may not be so good。 Therefore to teach is to learn and to learn is to teach。 This is mutual benefit。 If one’s virtue is too little I have nothing to learn; or if he is too wicked there is no way to teach him。 To spend the whole day together in diversions is to waste time。
18。 After establishing a friendship; be careful not to break the relationship。 Once broken; these relations can be mended; but it is difficult to restore them as they once were。 A jade vessel which has been glued back together will have an unsightly flaw and can easily break again。 Moreover it has bee less useful。
19。 The wise person who wants to withdraw from false friends avoids them little by little and does not break with them all at once。
20。 Al