It seems you have to agree with everything nowadays, if you want friends; truthfulness only makes you unpopular. Being patient and tolerant with all your friends, falling in with the wishes of any of them and joining in all their pursuits, never contradicting nor putting yourself first. That’s the best way to steer clear of jealousy, win a reputation and make friends.

The lines cut at something uncomfortable. A friendship that depends on constant agreement isn’t really friendship; it’s an arrangement to avoid friction. Flattering, deferring, never contradicting: it does buy popularity, but a bond that can’t survive an honest disagreement was fragile to begin with. The friendships worth keeping are the ones that hold after you’ve told each other the truth.