Making Friends
160. People alike tend to group together, and things are divided according to their classes. Associating oneself with the virtuous brings good fortune, while associating oneself with the evil brings misfortune. This is how good fortune and misfortune come into being.
Scroll 1: Zhou Yi
161. Confucius said: “Good fortune presides in a neighborhood where one can befriend virtuous people.”
Scroll 46: Zhong Lun
162. Even a person with good character and the ability to discern right from wrong must seek virtuous teachers to guide him. He should also associate with worthy friends. From honorable teachers, he learns about the virtues of emperors Yao, Shun, Yu and Tang. From worthy friends he learns about faithfulness, trustworthiness, respectfulness and forbearance. In this way, making steady advancement along the virtuous path is natural to him.
Scroll 38: Sun Qing Zi
163. When interacting with one another, we must show loving-kindness, forgiveness, humility and forbearance. Sincerity comes from the bottom of our hearts, and trust is shown to others. We should not listen to gossips, and should never be biased and criticize the shortcomings of others; instead, we should try to compliment people for their good deeds openly. For those who betrayed us, we would show leniency to them; for those who doubted us, we should prove ourselves to be even trustworthier. We would secretly help those in need without expecting anything in return and make contributions without craving to be acknowledged. When these principles are never abandoned and diligently practiced, would there be anyone who still hates us?
Scroll 45: Chang Yan