Dalai Lama Quote on Friendship

FRIENDSHIP
WE HAVE GENUINE FRIENDSHIP
WHEN IT IS BASED ON TRUE HUMAN
FEELING, A FEELING OF CLOSENESS
IN WHICH THERE IS A SENSE OF SHARING AND
CONNECTEDNESS.  I WOULD CALL THIS TYPE OF
FRIENDSHIP GENUINE BECAUSE IT IS NOT
AFFECTED BY THE INCREASE OR DECREASE OF
THE INDIVIDUAL'S WEALTH, STATUS, OR POWER.
THE FACTOR THAT SUSTAINS THAT FRIENDSHIP
IS WHETHER OR NOT THE TWO PEOPLE WILL
HAVE MUTUAL FEELINGS OF LOVE AND AFFECTION.
GENUINE HUMAN FRIENDSHIP IS ON THE BASIS OF
HUMAN AFFECTION, IRRESPECTIVE OF YOUR
POSITION. THEREFORE, THE MORE YOU SHOW
CONCERN ABOUT THE WELFARE AND RIGHTS
OF OTHERS, THE MORE YOU ARE A GENUINE
FRIENDS. THE MORE YOU REMAIN OPEN
AND SINCERE, THEN ULTIMATELY MORE BENEFITS
WILL COME TO YOU.  IF YOU FORGET OR DO NOT BOTHER ABOUT OTHERS.
THEN EVENTUALLY YOU WILL LOSE
YOUR OWN BENEFIT.

H.H. THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA