Page:Niti literature (Gray J, 1886).pdf/48

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

(19)

Section IV.
Friendship.

79.

A stranger, being a benefactor, is a (real) relative; a relative not conferring a benefit is a stranger; a disease, though arising in the body, is not beneficial; a herb from the forest is a boon.[1]

80.

A man who injures another's virtue in his absence, who speaks lovingly in his presence, one would consider such friendship like honey in a pot of poison.[2]

81.

In poverty a friend forsakes you; son, and wife, and brothers too forsake you; being rich, they cling to you: wealth in this world is a great friend.[3]

82.

One can know a (good) servant by his taking errands, a relative when danger comes; thus also a friend in times of poverty, and a wife when wealth disappears.

83.

He is a relative who in prosperity makes you cling to him; he a father who supports you; in whom there is affection, he is a friend; she a wife who pacifies.


  1. This stanza is adopted from Hitopadeśa, iii. 101.
  2. Ćâṇakya says, "As a bowl of poison with milk on its surface."
  3. There are some very fine lines in the Mahâbhârata on the subject of riches and poverty. Vide xii. 213 ff.