益えき者しゃ三さん友ゆう

expression

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)

• 益えき者しゃ三さん友ゆうとは、正しょう直じきな友とも、誠せい実じつな友とも、博はく識しきな友とものことだ。

  The 'three beneficial friends' are the honest friend, the sincere friend, and the knowledgeable friend.