No one in this world can live without friends, but people are often deceived, exploited or even harmed by their so-called friends. Many times you cannot tell who is a true friend worth making friends with. Zhuangzi has a famous saying that expresses the true meaning of making friends in just three words.

Let me tell you a story first: In the Tang Dynasty, there was a general named Xue Rengui. He was very poor when he was young. His family could only live in a cave, often starving, and there was a man next to him. The owner of this family is Wang Maosheng, who is a friend of Xue Rengui.

Wang Maosheng’s family is also very ordinary. Although he is better off than Xue Rengui, his life is still tight. When he saw how pitiful Xue Rengui's family was, he always squeezed some of his own food to support Xue Rengui.

Later, Xue Rengui joined the army and followed Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty to fight in all directions and made extraordinary achievements. Finally, he was named the Duke of Pingyang. Many people came to congratulate him with gifts. Wang Maosheng, who helped him at that time, heard that Xue Rengui was the emperor. When he became the king of the county, he also asked someone to send him two large wine jars.

Xue Rengui declined all the gifts, except for the two jars of wine sent by Wang Maosheng.

But when he opened the wine jar, he found that the jar was not filled with wine, but ordinary water. When the subordinates saw it, they became furious: Who is so bold as to give two jars of water? Come and tease our General Xue!

Xue Rengui laughed loudly, poured out three bowls of water, drank it all in one gulp, and said: These two jars of water were sent by my good friend Brother Wang. Although he could not afford to send fine wine, these two jars of water were sent by him. Not only do I want to accept the water, but I also want to taste it, because this is what "the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water"!

Wang Maosheng did not fawn over Xue Rengui because of his prosperity, and Xue Rengui did not forget this old friend. When Xue Rengui went to Wang Maosheng's house again, Wang Maosheng still entertained him with simple meals as before. Personal friendships lasted a lifetime.

"The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water" comes from "Zhuangzi": "The friendship between wise men is as light as water, not vain." It means that a truly pure friendship should be as light as water.

We often say that interpersonal relationships are complex, so in our lives, many social relationships are also very complex, but not all people can be called friends.

For example, if you are a business partner, you may call them brothers or sisters when you are together. According to Zhuangzi’s standards, these are not friends, but just partners, because Zhuangzi makes friends. The truth is only three short words - "as light as water".

What kind of friends are worth keeping? The premise is based on this kind of friendship as light as water, rather than mixed with interests or any other ingredients. Just remember the three words "as light as water".

For example, in the allusion between Xue Rengui and Wang Maosheng, friends like them are not mixed with any identity, status, wealth, etc., so even if Xue Rengui becomes the king of the county, Wang Maosheng will only Xue Rengui was just as happy as he was given two jars of water.

Although this kind of friendship seems as light as water, it is actually stronger and more mellow than fine wine. There is no need to shout brothers and sisters, and there is no need to swear an oath of blood alliance.

In real life, people often say that they have been deceived and used by their friends. In fact, it is because they have not understood what a friend is. If you define people who have mutual interests as friends, if you think that I After helping this friend, he must be kind to me, and it is inevitable that he will receive such a lesson.

Friendships as light as water must be equal. Zhuangzi described such friends as "looking at each other and smiling, never go against the heart." Whenever we are together, without talking, a knowing smile is enough. Do you have such a friend?