LXXXII
The Friendship That Injureth
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Behold the men who look as if they would eat thee up for very love, but who love thee not in their hearts: their friendship is sweeter in the waning than in the waxing.
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Behold the unworthy wretches who would fawn on thee when it is to their profit and forsake thee when thou canst serve them no more: what mattereth it whether thou gain their friendship or lose it?
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Behold the men that calculate how much they can gain by a friend: they are of the same class with harlots and thieves.
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There are men who are like the unbroken horse which throweth down its rider on the battlefield and gallopeth away: it is far better to be lonely than to have such men for friends.
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Behold the vile men that forsake a trusting friend at the time of his need: it is better not to possess their friendship than to possess it.
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The enmity of the wise is ten million times better than the intimacy of fools.
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The hate of enemies is a hundred million times more valuable than the friendship of boon companions and flatterers.
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Behold the men that will place obstructions on thy path while thou art at thy work: tell them not a word, but drop their friendship little by little.
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Behold the men whose acts belie their spoken words: it is bitter to recall their fellowship even in dreams.
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Behold the men that speak sweet in the closet but disparage in the assembly: do not approach them in any degree.