Air Quote by Confucius
“There are three friendships which are advantageous, and three which are injurious. Friendship with the upright; friendship with the sincere; and friendship with the man of much observation: these are advantageous. Friendship with the man of specious airs; friendship with the insinuatingly soft; and friendship with the glib-tongued: these are injurious.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Analects, Book 14, 5th century BC
Choosing companions wisely influences personal virtue and success; good friends uplift, bad friends corrupt.
In simple terms: Good friends help, bad friends hurt.
Key Takeaway
Seek honest, observant friends; avoid deceitful ones.
Themes
virtue
relationships
character
influence
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career mentorship
- personal development
- community building
- political alliances
Key Concepts
Confucian ethics
social psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Who in your life exemplifies each type?
- How do you assess a new friend's motives?
A Different Perspective
Even good friends can be misleading if not critically evaluated.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)