Iron gets rusted in the company of dust, and, as a result, it loses its strength. But its strength is restored when it is put in fire. First of all, you have to remove the dust from your mind. What is the dust? Dust is bad feelings that arise in one from bad company. It is only because of bad company that you get bad thoughts. Therefore, it is said, ‘Tell me your company and I shall tell you what you are’. Take time and enquire, but seek only the company of good people. When you are in a good position, everybody will come to you, calling you a good boy. But when you suffer a downfall, everybody will run away from you without even saying goodbye. This is not true friendship. What is true friendship? A true friend is one who follows you like a shadow even in times of difficulties and suffering.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 23, 1996.