friendship ethics

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.4

    Confucius said, “There are three kinds of beneficial friends and three kinds of harmful friends. Friendship with the upright, friendship with the trustworthy, and friendship with the well-informed – these are beneficial. Friendship with the fawning, friendship with the insincerely agreeable, and friendship with the glibly eloquent – these are harmful.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 15.10

    Zigong asked Confucius, “How does one practice benevolence (humaneness)?”The Master replied, “If a craftsman wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his tools. Likewise, when you reside in a state, serve those ministers who are virtuous, and befriend those scholars who are humane.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.7

    The Master said, “If you truly love someone, can you refrain from making him work hard? If you are sincerely devoted to someone, can you avoid instructing him?”