The word, friend, covers a wide range of meanings. It can be a nodding acquaintance, a comrade, a confidant, a partner, a playmate, an intimate colleague, etc.

“朋友”这个词的意义很广。朋友可以是点头之交、同志、知已、伙伴、玩伴、亲密的同事等。

Everyone needs friendship. No one can sail the ocean of life single-handed. We need help from, and also give help to, others. In modern times, people attach more importance to relations and connections. A man of charisma¹ has many friends. His power lies in his ability to give.

人人都需要友谊，没有人能独自在人生的海洋中航行。我们给人以帮助，也需要别人的帮助。在现代社会，人们更重视关系和联系。一个有非凡魅力的人有许多朋友，他的力量在于他的奉献能力。

As life is full of strife² and conflict, we need friends to support and help us out of difficulties. Our friends give us warnings against danger. Our friends offer us advice with regard to how do deal with various situations. True friends share not only our joys but also our sorrows.

生活充满矛盾和斗争，我们需要朋友的支持，以帮助我们摆脱困境。朋友提醒我们警惕险滩。朋友主动给我们以忠告，告诉我们如何应付各种不同的局势。真正的朋友与我们同甘共苦。

With friendship, life is happy and harmonious³. Without friendship, life is sad and unfortunate. I have friends in high positions and friends in the rank and file. Some are rich and in power. Some are relatively⁴ poor and without power. Some are like myself, working as a teacher, reading and writing, content with a simple life. We all care for each other, love and help each other. We feel we are happiest when we chat and exchange ideas with one another. With my friends, I know what to treasure, what to tolerate and what to share.

有了友谊，生活幸福、和谐；没有友谊，生活变得悲伤、不幸。我有地位高的朋友，也有地位低的朋友；有的有钱有权，有的较穷且无权无势。有的和我一样教书，读读写写，满足于简朴的生活。我们都互相关心，互相爱护，互相帮助。我们觉得跟朋友们在一起闲谈交流思想是最开心的。对我的朋友们，我知道该珍惜什么，容忍什么，分享什么。

I will never forget my old friends, and I’ll keep making new friends. I will not be cold and indifferent to my poor friends, and I will show concern for them, even if it is only a comforting word.

我决不会忘记老朋友，同时我也会继续结交新朋友。我对穷朋友绝不冷漠，而是会关心他们，哪怕只是一句安慰的话。