〈成〉 The friendship of a gentleman is as tasteless as water. :
君子之交淡若水,小人之交甘若醴;君子淡以亲,小人甘以绝。 (《庄子》) The friendship of a gentleman is as tasteless as water; that of a petty man, sweet as rich wine. But the tastelessness leads to affection, while the sweetness leads to revulsion.