Xiǎorén zhī jiāo, tián rú mì.

Lit Friendship between petty people is [thick and] sweet as honey.

Fig Friendship between petty people is based on material interest.

Note [Usually preceded by jūnzǐ zhī jiāo, dàn rú shuǐ (q.v.); originally in Zhuāngzǐ: Shān Mù: ... gān rú lì, “... sweet as wine”; see also yì dòng jūnzǐ below.]

Topics FRIENDSHIP PETTINESS SELF-INTEREST Shān Mù Zhuāngzǐ