Shloka 49
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
अवलिप्तेषु मूर्खेषु रौद्रसाहसिकेषु च । तथैवापेतधर्मेषु न मैत्रीमाचरेद् बुध:,विद्वान पुरुषको उचित है कि अभिमानी, मूर्ख, क्रोधी, साहसिक और धर्महीन पुरुषोंके साथ मित्रता न करे
avalipteṣu mūrkheṣu raudra-sāhasikeṣu ca | tathaivāpeta-dharmeṣu na maitrīm ācaret budhaḥ ||
Vidura advises that a wise person should not cultivate friendship with those who are arrogant and foolish, harsh and wrathful, recklessly daring, and fallen away from dharma. Such companionship corrodes judgment and draws one into unrighteous conduct.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Choose companions carefully: do not form close friendship with the proud, foolish, violent-tempered, reckless, and dharma-less, because their influence pulls one away from right conduct and sound judgment.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura delivers moral and political counsel (nīti) during the tense pre-war negotiations, warning that alliances and friendships with unrighteous, unstable people are dangerous and should be avoided.