three kinds of beneficial friends: straightforward, sincere, and well-informed
A Confucian yojijukugo. Refers to the three types of friends who help one improve: the upright, the sincere, and the knowledgeable. Often contrasted with 損者三友 (three harmful friends).
Antonyms: 損者三友 (そんしゃさんゆう)
The 'three beneficial friends' are the honest friend, the sincere friend, and the knowledgeable friend.
The antonym: three kinds of harmful friends (hypocritical, flattering, and smooth-talking).
three harmful types of friends; hypocritical, sycophantic, and glib-talking friends
From the Analects, where 益者三友 introduces three beneficial kinds of friend: the upright, the sincere, and the well-informed.