Friendship.
Lesson Five.
Prick an eye and you will draw a tear,
prick a heart and you reveal its feelings.
Throw stones at birds and you scare them away,
reproach a friend and you destroy a friendship.
If you have drawn your sword on a friend,
do not despair; there is a way back.
If you have opened your mouth against your friend,
do not worry; there is hope for reconciliation;
but insult, arrogance, betrayal of secrets, and the stab in the back -
in these cases any friend is lost.
Win your neighbor's confidence when he is poor,
so that you may enjoy his later good fortune with him;
stand by him in times of trouble,
in order to have your share when he comes into a legacy.
Fire is heralded by the reek of the furnace and smoke,
so too, bloodshed by insults.
I shall not be ashamed to shelter a friend
nor shall I hide away from him.
