Chapter 16 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16

Valmiki Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda

Verse 16.13

यथा मधुकरस्तर्षात्काशपुष्पं पिबन्नपि। रसमत्रन न विन्देत तथानार्येषु सैहृदम्॥

yathā madhukarastarṣātkāśapuṣpaṃ pibannapi| rasamatrana na vindeta tathānāryeṣu saihṛdam||

English Meaning

As a bee, after feeding uport the Kāśa flowers, does not get honey so is (fruitless) the friendship with unworthy persons.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)