One who,
flouting, despising
a sense of conscience,
saying, "I am your friend,"
but not grasping
what he could do [to help]:
    know him as
    "Not my friend."

    One who,
among friends,
speaks endearing words
to which he doesn't conform,
    the wise recognize
    as speaking without doing.

He's not a friend
who's always wary,
suspecting a split,
focusing just on your weakness.
But him on whom you can depend,
like a child on its parent's breast:
    that's a true friend
    whom others can't split from you.

Carrying one's manly burden,
the fruits & rewards develop
the conditions that make for joy,
the bliss that brings praise.

Drinking the nourishment,
    the flavor,
of seclusion & calm,
one is freed from evil, devoid
    of distress,
refreshed with the nourishment
of rapture in the Dhamma.[1]

Note

1. This last verse = Dhp 205. [Go back]