By Rahat Indori
dosti jab kisi se ki jaae
dushmanon ki bhi rai li jaae
dushmanon ki bhi rai li jaae
“When you are about to befriend someone, take even your enemies' opinion of them first.”
Romanहिन्दीRahat Indori
दोस्ती जब किसी से की जाए
दुश्मनों की भी राय ली जाए
दुश्मनों की भी राय ली जाए
The verse in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
♪ Hear the coupletA recitation in a synthesized voice.
The Interpretation
Indori offers a worldly piece of caution with a twist — before you trust a new friend, consult their enemies. The wisdom is that enemies, however biased, will name the flaws a friend conceals. It is shrewd rather than cynical, a verse about seeing clearly before you commit.
For You, Today
Before you give someone your trust, listen even to those who dislike them — the unflattering view often holds the information you most need.
The couplet's appeal lies in its sly practicality, turning an enemy's bias into a tool for good judgment.
Themes:WisdomFriendship
More from Rahat Indori
The heart of this site stays with Iqbal: explore his couplets → Or browse the whole Other Voices shelf →