“Don't believe your friends when they ask you to be honest with them. All they really want is to be maintained in the good opinion they have of themselves.”

Simplified Meaning:

Sometimes, friends ask for your honest opinion, but what they really want is for you to say nice things that make them feel good about themselves. It's like when a friend tries on an outfit and asks if it looks good, deep down, they want to hear that they look amazing. For example, imagine your friend cooks a new recipe and asks for your opinion. Even if you think it needs more salt, they hope you’ll say it’s delicious because they worked hard on it. If you say it’s not good, they might feel hurt or upset because they were expecting praise. This quote teaches us that people often seek validation and approval from their friends rather than true honesty. When giving feedback, it's important to be kind and consider their feelings. Instead of being blunt, you can suggest improvements in a gentle way. So, remember to be tactful, balancing honesty and empathy to maintain a good relationship. In your life, if a friend asks for your opinion, try to be supportive and constructive. Think about how your words will affect them and aim to boost their confidence while still being truthful. This approach helps keep trust and care in your friendships.