Friendship

There is much to gain by living/working together, rather than by quarreling over petty differences. This is a piece of sage advice to keep friendly relations all over.

This expression means that a true friend or relative is someone who helps you during your times of trouble or crisis. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'A friend in need is a friend indeed.' It is used to emphasize that blood relations are not as significant as those who offer support when life gets difficult.

This proverb emphasizes that kind speech and pleasant behavior can win over anyone. If you speak politely and kindly, the whole world becomes your kin, whereas harsh words alienate even close friends.

This expression is used to highlight symmetry, reciprocity, or equality in relationships or situations. It implies that if one party expects respect, effort, or a certain distance from another, the same applies in return. It is often used to remind someone that a relationship is a two-way street or to point out a redundant or obvious comparison.

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

It is safer and more beneficial to have an intelligent person as an enemy than to have a foolish person as a friend. A wise enemy is predictable and may have principles, whereas a foolish friend can cause unintended harm through their lack of judgment.

This proverb highlights the difference between a sycophant and a true well-wisher. Someone who always tells you what you want to hear (making you laugh/happy) might be leading you toward a downfall by ignoring your mistakes. In contrast, a true friend or mentor who criticizes you or tells you harsh truths (making you cry/sad) actually helps you improve and succeed in life.

This expression refers to a loyal companion or a reliable support system (like a walking stick) that assists a person in every situation, both physically and as a source of strength or advocacy.

This proverb highlights the power of affection over coercion. It suggests that people are willing to endure hardships or do difficult things for those they love or trust, whereas force and authority fail to make someone comply even with something beneficial.

This expression is used to emphasize that physical distance between people (friends or family) does not necessarily lead to emotional distance or a loss of affection. It suggests that true bonds remain intact regardless of how far apart people live.

This expression is used to describe an inseparable bond or a deep friendship. Just as salt dissolves completely into food and cannot be separated once mixed, it refers to people or things that have become perfectly integrated or united.

This expression describes people who share an extremely close, intimate, and inseparable bond or friendship. It is often used to highlight the deep camaraderie and mutual trust between individuals who do everything together.

Extreme intimacy. They are hand and glove.

This proverb highlights the essential elements for maintaining social and professional ties. Relationships (bandhavyamu) thrive on mutual visits and spending time together, whereas business or trade (vyavaharamu) relies on the fair exchange of goods or services. It suggests that if you stop visiting relatives, the bond weakens, and if you stop trading fairly, the business transaction ends.

This expression is used to remind someone that even if a person or thing is physically distant (out of reach or out of the house), they are still kept in one's thoughts and memories. It is often used in the context of loved ones living far away, emphasizing that physical distance does not mean they are forgotten.

This expression is used to describe how in close relationships or among people who truly like each other, even jokes, teasing, or minor criticisms are taken in good spirit and perceived as endearing. It highlights that the reception of words depends on the rapport between the people involved.

This expression suggests that lending money is a sure way to ruin a relationship and create conflict. It is used to caution people that when you lend money to friends or relatives, it often leads to arguments, bitterness, and the eventual loss of both the money and the friendship.

This expression describes a relationship where people are close enough to eat together or share social meals, but do not share a deep, private, or familial intimacy. It is often used to define the boundaries of a friendship or a formal association where one's private life remains separate.

This expression is used to describe how relationships can change drastically over time. It highlights the irony or bitterness of life where someone who was once a close confidant or best friend has now become a bitter rival or enemy, often due to betrayal or changing circumstances.

This proverb highlights the value of experience, reliability, and time-tested quality. Just as old wood burns better and aged water is settled, long-standing friendships are the most trustworthy and classic books contain timeless wisdom.

This expression warns that lending money to a friend often leads to the loss of both the money and the friendship. It is used to suggest that financial transactions can ruin personal relationships if the borrower is unable or unwilling to repay.

Each person has his/her own types of odd behavior and thinks that that behavior quite normal. Honest criticism by well-meaning friends can help people in realizing the truth about themselves and take appropriate corrective measures.