The Science of Friendship

Friendship is part of being human. Not everyone you take a liking to turns out to be a friend. This world is full to overflowing with unfortunate people who do not know what friendship is. Yes, not knowing what friendship is — that is misfortune.

Know this about a person who calls himself your friend: if, when you go to him asking for help, he says “I can’t,” he is not a friend. He is a liar and a hypocrite. Know this for yourself, and never mention that friend’s name again, never let his name into your heart.

In truth, the finest friend is the one who knows his friend’s condition before he is told.

With traitors and hypocrites you cannot cross the sea of this world and reach the shore of the Hereafter. Such a man is the rat on your ship. But be careful: do not become a rat yourself.

If your friend is ashamed to ask you for help and, while you are there, asks someone else for help, be displeased with yourself. Learn how worthless and weak you are.

Akrom MALIK