Friendship

Sirach 6:5-12

If you are polite and courteous, you will enjoy the friendship of many people.

Exchange greetings with many,

but take advice from only ONE person out of a Thousand.

When you make friends, don't be too quick to trust them;

make sure that they have proved themselves.

Some people will be your friends only when it is Convenient for them,

but they won't stand by you in trouble.

Others will fall out with you over some Argument,

and then Embarrass you by letting everyone know about it.

Others will sit at your table as long as things are going well;

they will stick to you like your shadow and give orders to your servants,

but they will not stand by you in trouble.

If your situation takes a turn for the worse,

they will turn against you, and you won't be able to find them anywhere.