Anecdotes about making friends (4)
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True friends in times of adversity – those who stay by your side during difficult times and are remembered for a lifetime: It are the people who remain loyal and accompany you silently when you are going through tough times or find yourself in low points that truly deserve to be cherished for a lifetime.
Friends for pleasure – eager for enjoyment and untrustworthy: they only seek pleasure together and squander their time in fun, able to share comfort but not to face difficulties side by side. Such useless friendships are best avoided as soon as possible; that’s the wise thing to do.
Friends for life and death – ones who can entrust their lives to each other without any hesitation: they have utmost trust in one another, and can rely on each other to handle their possessions, lives, and even matters after death. Having withstood all hardships while remaining true to one’s original intentions—this is the most precious friendship in the world.
Simple and sincere friends—staying together in simplicity, not coveting wealth or glory: regardless of one’s status, they have no desire for riches or honors. Warming each other amidst the ordinary moments of life, living simply together, staying by each other’s side in peace, in a humble yet enduring way.
A gentleman does not compete – he behaves in a humble manner and avoids seeking to outshine others. Among friends with good character, there is no competition for superiority or defeat, nor any showing off of gains or losses. By being modest and tolerant toward one another, relationships can remain harmonious for a long time.
Harmony without uniformity – tolerating differences rather than demanding sameness: Get along with others amicably, but there’s no need to insist that everyone shares exactly the same values and preferences. Respecting each other’s differences and tolerating what makes us unique is the essence of interacting with high emotional intelligence.
Harmonious on the surface, but not in reality—seemingly amicable and united on the outside, yet filled with mutual suspicion, hidden competition, and distrust on the inside. Superficial harmony; all such relationships are false.
Make friends through virtue—character comes first for lasting and stable relationships: When making friends, one should first consider their moral character. Friendships built on character will not change due to wealth or poverty, nor fade away because of interests; they are stable and lasting.
Relationships based on self-interest – fleeting and ephemeral: These are relationships held together by money and mutual benefits; they may seem lively and bustling on the surface. Once the benefits disappear, friendship instantly crumbles; there’s no genuine affection at all.
It’s a pity we met so late – we hit it off at first sight; it seems we met far too late: from the very beginning, we were extremely compatible, sharing similar values and having great mutual understanding. It was a joyous encounter; I only regret that fate came too late, preventing us from meeting and being together earlier.
Instant rapport – meeting for the first time, yet feeling like old friends: there’s no sense of strangeness or awkwardness; interactions are warm and natural, with perfect harmony in speech and behavior, as if they’ve known each other for years.