811 Though evil men should all-absorbing friendship show, Their love had better die away than grow.

812 What though you gain or lose friendship of men of alien heart, Who when you thrive are friends, and when you fail depart?

813 These are alike: the friends who ponder friendship's gain, Those who accept whate'er you give, and all the plundering train.

814 A steed untrained will leave you in the tug of war; Than friends like that to dwell alone is better far.

815 'Tis better not to gain than gain the friendship profitless Of men of little minds, whose succour fails when dangers press.

816 Better ten million times incur the wise man's hate, Than form with foolish men a friendship intimate.

817 From foes ten million fold a greater good you gain, Than friendship yields that's formed with laughers vain.

818 Those men who make a grievous toil of what they do On your behalf, their friendship silently eschew.

819 E'en in a dream the intercourse is bitterness With men whose deeds are other than their words profess.

820 In anywise maintain not intercourse with those, Who in the house are friends, in hall are slandering foes.