三さん益えき友ゆう

noun

three kinds of beneficial friends

Archaic term from Confucius, referring to three types of beneficial friends: the straightforward, the sincere, and the well-informed. Contrasts with 三損友 (three harmful friends).

See also: 益者三友

Antonyms: 三損友

• 「益えき者しゃ三さん友ゆう」という言こと葉ばから、三さん益えき友ゆうという表ひょう現げんが生うまれた。

  The expression 三益友 came from the phrase 益者三友 (the three beneficial friends).