A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

6: Friends
Jā 473 Mittāmittajātakaṁ
The 16 Qualities of Foes and Friends
The Bodhisatta explains to King Brahmadatta the
sixteen qualities of a foe, and the sixteen qualities
of a friend.
105. Na naṁ umhayate disvā, na ca naṁ paṭinandati,
Cakkhūni cassa na dadāti, paṭilomañ-ca vattati.
Having seen you he does not smile,
Nor does he give you a welcome,
He does not give you attention,
He surely speaks out against you.
106. Amitte tassa bhajati, mitte tassa na sevati,
Vaṇṇakāme nivāreti, akkosante pasaṁsati.
Your enemies he entertains,
But with your friends he does not mix,
He stops those who like to praise you,
He commends those who abuse you.
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