A king should value a counselor who reveres wise men, and who is endowed with learning, virtue, a pleasing appearance, friends, agreeable speech, and a good heart. Whether of low or noble birth, one who does not violate the rules of courteous conduct, who holds fast to virtue, and who is endowed with humility and modesty, surpasses a hundred men of noble birth. The friendship of those whose hearts, private pursuits, pleasures, and gains agree in every respect never grows cold. A wise man should avoid an ignorant person of evil soul as he would a pit whose mouth is covered with grass, for friendship with such a man cannot long endure. A wise man should never befriend those who are proud, ignorant, fierce, rash, and fallen from righteousness. One who is grateful, virtuous, truthful, magnanimous, and devoted, who keeps his senses under control, preserves his own dignity, and never abandons a friend — such a one should be sought as a friend. The withdrawal of the senses from their proper objects is equivalent to death itself.