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  • āpat-kāle tu samprāpte yan-mitraṁ mitram eva tat |
    vṛddhi-kāle tu samprāpte durjano’pi suhṛd bhavet ||
    (Mahāsubhāṣita-saṅgraha)

    “One who is a friend during times of adversity is a friend indeed. Even wicked people become friendly during times of prosperity.”

    Read on →: āpat-kāle tu samprāpte yan-mitraṁ mitram eva tat

  • āture vyasane prāpte durbhikṣe śatru-saṅkaṭe |
    rājā-dvāre śmaśāne ca yas tiṣṭhati sa bāndhavaḥ ||
    (Cāṇākhya-nīti-darpaṇa: 1.12)

    “One who stays [with you] in illness, in adversity, in famine, while surrounded by enemies, at the gate of the king, and at the crematorium, is a friend.”

    Read on →: āture vyasane prāpte durbhikṣe śatru-saṅkaṭe

  • utsave vyasane yuddhe durbhikṣe rāṣṭra-viplave |
    rāja-dvāre śmaśāne ca yas tiṣṭhati sa bāndhavaḥ ||
    (Hitopadeśa: 4.67)

    “One who stays [with you] in festivals, in adversity, in war, in famine, in revolutions of the state, at the gate of the king, and at the crematorium, is a friend.”

    Read on →: utsave vyasane yuddhe durbhikṣe rāṣṭra-viplave

  • pāpān nivārayati yojayate hitāya
    guhyam nigūhati guṇān prakaṭīkaroti |
    āpad-gataṁ ca na jahāti dadāti kāle
    san-mitra-lakṣaṇam idaṁ pravadanti santaḥ
    (Nīta-śatakam of Bhatṛhari: 1.73)

    “The wise say these are the characteristics of a true friend: he prevents one from sins, engages one in what is beneficial, conceals one’s secrets, affirms one’s qualities, does not abandon one in trouble, and gives one [whatever is required or desired] at the appropriate time.”

    Read on →: pāpān nivārayati yojayate hitāya

  • ahitāt pratiṣedhaś ca hite cānupravartanam |
    vyasane cāparityāgaḥ trividhaṁ mitra-lakṣaṇam ||
    (Mahāsubhāṣita-saṅgraha: 4100; Buddha-carita: 4.64)

    “The characteristics of a friend are threefold: (1) to restrain one from what is harmful, (2) to encourage one in what is beneficial, and (3) to not desert one in adversity.”

    Read on →: ahitāt pratiṣedhaś ca hite cānupravartanam

  • śokārāti-bhaya-trāṇaṁ prīti-viśrambha-bhājanam |
    kena ratnam idaṁ sṛṣṭaṁ mitram ity akṣara-dvayam ||
    (Hitopadeśa: 1.223)

    “Who has created this gem composed of the two syllables “mi-tra” (“friend”)? A friend protects one from grief, enemies, and fear, and is a reservoir of affection and trust.”

    Read on →: śokārāti-bhaya-trāṇaṁ prīti-viśrambha-bhājanam

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