There is only one kind of person worth deep friendship.
Zhuangzi said: The friendship of gentlemen is as clear and subtle as water, while the friendship of petty people is as sweet as honey.
The friendship between gentlemen is as clear and pure as water, free from impurities; the friendship between petty people is as sweet as honey.
Though the friendship of gentlemen is quiet and unassuming, their hearts are close; the friendship of petty people is overly intimate and sweet, but easily broken due to self-interest.
A person will genuinely respect you from the heart, not because of the money in your pocket. When you have money, who does he politely treat? He treats money.
As soon as your wealth disappears, his attitude may change immediately. That's why they say 'The friendship of gentlemen is as clear as water, while the friendship of petty people is as sweet as honey'
Sammuel Beckett said: The best friends are like good tea – subtle without bitterness, fragrant but not overpowering, flowing slowly like water.
General Xue Ren Gui, a legendary Tang dynasty general who served for 40 years, lived with his wife in a dilapidated kiln cave before joining the military. They were often supported by Wang Mengsheng and his wife.
After Xue Ren Gui followed Li Shimin east to conquer Liao, he was granted the title of 'Ping Liao King' and was visited by Wang to congratulate him. However, he politely refused their congratulations.
The only thing he accepted was a jar of water from the commoner Wang Mengsheng. When the official in charge of opening the jar was frightened, his face turned pale because the jar wasn't filled with wine, but with water!
Xue Ren Gui didn't get angry and ordered the official to fetch a large bowl and drink three bowls of Wang Mengsheng's water in front of his subordinates.
The officials present were puzzled, but after Xue Ren Gui drank three bowls, he said, 'When I was in trouble, my brothers supported me. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.'
Now I refuse their gifts, and I accept this jar of water because I know Wang Mengsheng is poor, and this is Wang's kindness. This is 'The friendship of gentlemen is as clear as water'
Choose a friend, you choose a lifestyle.
A true friend is the hand to hold when you are lost, the shoulder when you are suffering, the comforting words when you are discouraged. A true friend will not seek to bask in your glory, and won't avoid you when you are in hardship.
The best friendship is when you are busy with your own affairs, but you still care about each other, and you never need to deliberately think about it because you have never forgotten.
Li Bai met Du Fu, who was 11 years younger than him, in Luoyang. Du Fu was 'ambitious, loved wine, and had a strong sense of justice', and he hoped to 'make the emperor like Yu and Shun, and restore the people's customs'. The two were very compatible and often discussed poetry and current affairs.
In the autumn of the following year, Du Fu went to Chang'an, and Li Bai prepared to revisit Jiangdong. They parted in Yanzhou, and they never met again.
During that period of time, they traveled together in Qi Lu, looked for friends, wrote poetry, and discussed current affairs. They formed a deep friendship, and after parting ways, Du Fu wrote several moving poems about missing Li Bai.
What is a friend
Friendship doesn't have to be inseparable, but it must be heartfelt;
Friendship doesn't need to be adorned with extravagance, but it must be a lifeline in times of hardship;
Friendship doesn't need to be every day, but it must be kept in your heart.
We come into this world,
All encounters are countless twists and turns,
Fortunately, after a long time,
Someone is still there.
