Those who respect us and our ideals, and those who have a concern for our well being are considered as our relations or friends. Those who hate us, and those who go contrary to our expectations, and those who cause pain and loss to us are regarded as enemies. On one occasion Kabir had said that we should keep the company of those who abuse us. The reason for this is that although we may commit several sins, the people who point out our sins are going to remove our sins by their abuse. It is in this context that we say that if someone ridicules us, then this will result in the removal of our sin. In reality, those people who help us to get rid of our sins are our friends. Those people who promote sins in us are our enemies. Thus, it is those who abuse and ridicule us who are to be considered as our friends as they remove our imperfections. The ideas that come up in our own mind are the cause for considering something as good or bad.

- Summer Roses on Blue Mountains 1976, Ch 12.