Chapter 32 — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 32

Valmiki Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda

Verse 32.7

सर्वथा सुकरं मित्रं दुष्करं प्रतिपालनम्। अनित्यत्वात् तु चित्तानां प्रीतिरल्पेऽपि भिद्यते॥

sarvathā sukaraṃ mitraṃ duṣkaraṃ pratipālanam| anityatvāt tu cittānāṃ prītiralpe'pi bhidyate||

English Meaning

It is easy to contract friendship but very difficult to sustain it; for owing to the fickleness of our minds, a very slight cause bring about separation.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)