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
The expression 三益友 came from the phrase 益者三友 (the three beneficial friends).
The original Confucian phrase meaning 'the three beneficial friends'; 三益友 is a derived noun form.
three harmful friends
From the Confucian concept 益者三友 (the three beneficial friends), as recorded in the Analects. The exact derivation of the compound 三益友 is uncertain, but it follows classical Chinese word formation patterns.