Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
ConfuciusRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True friendship goes beyond just sharing emotions; it requires deeper understanding and support.
In this quote, Confucius emphasizes that genuine friendship should not merely be a reflection of one's emotions. A shallow friend who only mirrors your feelings fails to offer true companionship; instead, a real friend should provide honest support, even in difficult times, highlighting the need for depth and authenticity in relationships.
Themes
FriendshipGenuineEmotionsSupportAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the importance of relationships, you can emphasize the depth of true friendship with this quote.
More from Confucius
All quotes βEarnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
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When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
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Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
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The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
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Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
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