Friendship is precious like a diamond, but there are certain types of people you should steer clear of."

 "Friendship is precious like a diamond, but there are certain types of people you should steer clear of."  

Friendship is considered a precious asset in life, comparable to a diamond in its rarity, strength, and longevity.   However, not everyone deserves to be labeled as a genuine friend.   Various ancient traditions, such as those found in the Bible, Buddhism, Shinto, Greek philosophy, and African wisdom, offer cautionary advice about individuals who may bring harm instead of support.   Here is a list of people to steer clear of in your circle of friends.

    1. The individual known as The Perpetual Complainer is characterized by their constantly negative outlook and propensity to vocalize complaints.    Bible verse Philippians 2:14 instructs us to perform tasks without complaining or disagreeing.    "Buddhism teaches that negative energy can cloud the mind and hinder spiritual enlightenment."    The African proverb suggests that speaking negatively can create conflict within a community.    Negativity can deplete happiness and drive.   Friends should elevate and motivate you, not burden you with constant grievances. 

   2. The individual who presents a friendly face to you but speaks negatively about you behind your back is known as the Two-Faced Person.    The Bible states that a trustworthy person will keep a secret, while a gossip will betray a confidence (Proverbs 11:13).    Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, cautioned against hypocrisy and emphasized the importance of honesty in relationships.    Dishonesty in Shinto beliefs causes disharmony and brings about bad luck.    A genuine friend is faithful, not someone who compliments you in public but criticizes you in private.    

3. The Selfish Opportunist (Only Appears when they Want Something)    Proverbs 12:26 in the Bible states that the righteous are selective in choosing their friends, while the wicked are easily led astray by their companions.    Buddhism emphasizes that genuine relationships should be founded on selflessness rather than selfish motives.    In African Philosophy, an individual who only seeks to benefit from others without giving back is not considered a true member of the community.    Friendship should involve mutual give and take, rather than being a situation where someone only shows up when they require assistance.   

 4. The Gossip spreads rumors and shares your personal information with others.    "A person who is wicked causes disputes, while a gossiper drives a wedge between friends." This quote is from the Bible in the book of Proverbs chapter 16, verse 28.    Shinto believes in the power of words, and spreading falsehoods can cause disharmony in society.    Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, advocated for the importance of virtue and the avoidance of slander.    A friend who is unable to keep your secrets is not a true friend.    

5. The Drama Creator (Finds Drama in Every Situation)    "Blessed are those who work to create peace, as they will be recognized as part of God's family." (Matthew 5:9)    In African philosophy, someone who causes conflict is not trying to achieve unity but instead aims for destruction.    Some individuals may enjoy chaos and drama, but a true friend encourages harmony rather than conflict.    

6. The Envious Friend (Dislikes witnessing your joy or accomplishments)    "The Bible teaches us that inner peace is essential for a healthy body, while envy can have a destructive effect on our well-being."    Envy causes suffering and hinders personal growth in Buddhism.    Plato from Greek Philosophy cautioned about the damaging effects of jealousy on friendships.    A true friend rejoices in your successes instead of feeling jealous.    

7. The rival always attempts to surpass your successes.    "Bible verse Philippians 2:3 instructs believers to refrain from acting out of selfish motives or pride, and instead to prioritize others with humility."    "Shinto emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony over individual achievement."    African Proverb: A genuine friend does not allow friendship to become competition.    A true friend will encourage your personal development instead of constantly trying to outdo you.    

8. The chronic liar is someone who tells so many lies that they cannot be trusted.    The Bible teaches that telling lies is detestable to God, but he is pleased with those who are honest and trustworthy.   This message is found in Proverbs 12:22.    Socrates from Greek Philosophy emphasized truth as the most important virtue.    Shinto teaches that dishonesty is disgraceful for both oneself and others.    How can you trust someone who consistently tells lies?    

9. The person who always avoids taking responsibility and shifts blame onto others is known as the Blame Shifter.    Each individual is responsible for carrying their own burden.   This is stated in the Bible in the book of Galatians chapter 6, verse 5.    African Philosophy emphasizes that displaying responsibility is indicative of both maturity and wisdom.    True friends take responsibility for their mistakes instead of blaming others.   

 10. The unreliable friend who creates plans but never actually carries them out.    Biblical verse Matthew 5:37 instructs to be truthful in one's words, with a straightforward yes or no.    Integrity in Buddhism refers to fulfilling promises and responsibilities.    Trust is established through dependability, and a friend who frequently cancels on plans cannot be relied upon.    

"11. The Energy Vampire (Depletes Your Inner Peace and Vitality)"    Biblical scripture from Matthew 11:28 states, "All those who are tired and carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will provide relief."    Buddhism advises to stay away from people who drain your energy as they can disrupt your inner peace.    Your mental and emotional health is important.   Stay away from people who drain your energy.   

 12. The Friend Who Shows Disrespect (Does Not Value Your Time, Emotions, or Boundaries)    The Bible teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated, as stated in Luke 6:31.    Aristotle, in his teachings, emphasized the importance of respect and mutual understanding in cultivating enduring friendships.    Respecting others is the cornerstone of strong connections within a community in African philosophy.    A true friend respects your limits and treats you with dignity.   

 "Concluding Remarks"    Friendship should be based on trust, respect, and mutual concern.   The individuals you associate with impact your well-being and achievements.   Select companions who support you, rather than those who exhaust or betray you.   The scriptures, teachings of Buddhism, Shinto, Greek philosophy, and African proverbs all emphasize the value of genuine friendship, so it should be protected.    I'm sorry, but there is no text provided for me to paraphrase.   Could you please provide the text you would like me to paraphrase?    I'm sorry but I cannot provide a paraphrase without the text that needs to be paraphrased.