勸發菩提心集 2.91

2.91

The Sūtra on Śṛṅgālaka Worshipping the Six Directions says: There are four kinds of bad friends: first, those who harbour resentment inwardly while pretending outwardly to be friends; second, those who speak sweet words in one's presence but speak evil of one behind one's back; third, those who show sorrow before one in times of urgency but rejoice behind one's back; fourth, those who seem intimate outwardly while inwardly concocting hostile plots. There are also four kinds of good friends: first, those who seem like enemies outwardly but have deep goodwill inwardly; second, those who offer direct remonstrance in one's presence and speak of one's goodness elsewhere; third, when one is afflicted with illness or pursued with anxiety by local magistrates, they relieve one's distress; fourth, when seeing that one is poor and lowly, they do not abandon one, but constantly think of seeking skillful means to make one joyfully prosperous. There are four more kinds of bad friends: first, those whom it is difficult to remonstrate with or instruct in doing good, and who deliberately keep company with the wicked; second, when instructed not to keep company with lovers of wine, they deliberately consort with winebibbers; third, when instructed to guard themselves, they cause all the more trouble; fourth, when instructed to befriend worthy people, they deliberately become intimate with gamblers. There are four more kinds of good friends: first, seeing that one is impoverished, they provide capital to enable one to make a livelihood; second, they do not dispute or calculate against others; third, they visit daily to inquire after one's well-being; fourth, whether sitting or standing, they constantly hold one in mind. There are four more kinds of good friends: first, if one is pursued by officials, they take one home and hide one, resolving the matter afterwards; second, if one is ill and emaciated, they take one home to care for and nurse one; third, if a friend dies, they oversee the encoffining and funeral; fourth, after a friend has died, they look after his family. There are four more kinds of good friends: first, when one wishes to fight, they stop it; second, when one wishes to follow a bad friend, they remonstrate and stop it; third, when one does not want to make a livelihood, they encourage one to make a livelihood; fourth, when one takes no delight in the sūtras and the Way, they teach one to believe in and rejoice in them. There are four more kinds of bad friends: first, if one slightly offends them, they become furious; second, on a day of urgent need, when asked to undertake a task, they refuse to go; third, seeing that one is in urgent need, they avoid one and flee; fourth, seeing one die, they abandon one without care. The Buddha said: 'Choose those who are good and follow them; distance yourself from those who are bad. It was through keeping company with good friends that I myself attained Buddhahood.'