Anecdotes about Making Friends (1)
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1. Boya playing the zither – towering mountains and flowing waters; it’s hard to find a true understanding: When Boya played the zither, Zhong Ziqi was able to hear in the sounds of the instrument the images of towering mountains and flowing waters. When Ziqi passed away, Bo Ya broke his zither and cut its strings, never playing again for the rest of his life. The best kind of connection in the world is when souls are in harmony; true friends are hard to find again.
2. The friendship between Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya – a bond of mutual understanding and appreciation, regardless of gains or losses: In his early years, Guan Zhong lived in poverty and hardship. Bao Shuya was aware of his talents as well as the difficulties he faced; he showed understanding and tolerance toward him, did not doubt his character or consider personal interests, and even went out of his way to recommend him, helping him achieve great success. True friends understand your embarrassment and accept your imperfections.
3. Close friends who share life and death – sticking together through thick and thin: Lian Po and Lin Xiangru resolved their differences and became close friends who were willing to share life and death and rely on each other in times of trouble. In times of crisis, being willing to risk one’s life for another is the highest expression of friendship.
4. Close friends – those who share a deep understanding without any barriers: two people with similar values and interests who can understand each other without needing to speak; they have aligned thoughts and can get along comfortably, and the best kind of friendship is one in which there is no need to try to please one another.
5. Brotherhood – Friends who swear an oath of loyalty to each other are like family: like-minded friends become brothers despite differing surnames, swearing an oath to stand together, sharing weal and woe, facing difficulties side by side; their bond is as strong as that of blood relatives.
6. Childhood friends – innocent and pure in their youth: Growing up together from a young age, they were childhood companions who played and laughed together; their friendship was free from worldly interests or deceitful calculations, representing the purest and most genuine bond one can have in life.
7. Friendship among ordinary people – staying together in poverty, without longing for wealth and status: friendships formed among common folks, regardless of differences in social status, power, or wealth. Stay by your side in times of hardship, remain true to your original intentions when you succeed, and let true feelings emerge in ordinary days.
8. Friendship beyond age – regardless of age, they understand and appreciate each other: The two may differ greatly in age and status, yet share common interests and admire one another. Putting aside the age gap, we seek only a genuine connection and to feel as if we’ve known each other forever.
9. Interactions in the marketplace – connections driven by opportunism; once the interests are fulfilled, people part ways: people gather for mutual benefit and engage in financial transactions. When there’s profit to be made, they become extremely close; once the benefits vanish, they turn into strangers. They are the most false and untrustworthy of all.
10. A brief acquaintance – meeting by chance, a superficial connection: Only a fleeting encounter, with little depth in the relationship. There’s no need for a deep relationship, no need to be sincere; just get along casually and keep things at a moderate level.
11. Childhood friends – friends known since youth: In ancient times, children would tie their hair into topknots; such friends have known each other since childhood, growing up and walking through life together. Their bond remains deep and unchanging, with their original friendship intact.