Friendship

Analects 16.4

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Sixteen

Original Text:

孔子曰益者三友损者三友友直友谅友多闻益矣友便辟友善柔友便佞损矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Confucius said, “Beneficial types of friendship number three, as do harmful types of friendship. Befriending the upright, those who are true to their word, or those of broad learning—these are the beneficial types of friendship. Befriending clever flatterers, skillful dissemblers, or the smoothly glib—these are the harmful types of friendship.”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Confucius said, Three kinds of friends are beneficial; three kinds are harmful. Straightforward friends, sincere friends, well-informed friends—these are beneficial. Hypocritical friends, sycophantic friends, glib-talking friends—these are harmful.

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 12.23

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Twelve

Original Text:

子贡问友子曰忠告而善道之不可则止毋自辱焉

Translation:

Other Translations:

Zigong asked about friendship.

The Master replied, “Reprove your friend when dutifulness requires, but do so gently. If your words are not accepted then desist, lest you incur insult.”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Zigong asked how to deal with friends. The Master said, Advise them in a loyal manner; lead them with goodness. But if you get nowhere, then stop. No use to bring shame on yourself.

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 5.25

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Five

Original Text:

子曰巧言令色足恭左丘明耻之丘亦耻之匿怨而友其人左丘明耻之丘亦耻之

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Master said, “Clever words, an ingratiating countenance, and perfunctory gestures of respect are all things that Zuoqiu Ming considered shameful, and I, too, consider them shameful. Concealing one’s resentment and feigning friendship toward another is something Zuoqiu considered shameful, and I, too, consider it shameful.”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The Master said, Clever words, a pleasing countenance, politeness overdone—Zuoqiu Ming would be ashamed of such, and I would be ashamed too. To hide your distaste for someone and become that person’s friend—Zuoqiu Ming would be ashamed of that, and I would be ashamed too.

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.