[55] Formerly [the rice] was all white; then it became speckled;
now it is all red — it is time for me to depart.
Formerly [my seat] was within; then it was in the middle; then it was outside;
before there is an expulsion, I go of my very own accord.
One should not cultivate a person devoid of faith (saddhā), [who is] like a waterless well;
for even if one should dig it out, its water would smell of mud and slime.
One should cultivate only one who has confidence; one without confidence one should avoid;
one should attend upon the confident, as one in need of water resorts to a lake.
One should associate with the man who associates with one; one who does not associate one should not associate with;
his is the character of a bad man (asappurisa-dhamma), who does not associate with one who associates with him.
He who does not associate with one who associates with him, who does not resort to one who resorts to him —
he truly is the vilest among men, like a beast that clings to the branches.
Through contact that is excessive and too frequent, through not coming together,
and through asking at the wrong time — by this friends wear away.
Therefore one should not visit too often, nor should one go after too long an absence;
one should ask at the proper time for what is to be asked: thus friends do not wear away.
By dwelling too long, one who is dear becomes not dear;
so, taking leave of you, I go — before I become not dear to you.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.