Solomon continues to emphasize the importance of cultivating meaningful friendships. He urges his son to not forsake long-standing, well established relationships. These are indviduals who have demonstrated their faithfulness over the course of time and can be counted on to always be there to aid in difficulty. These trustworthy individuals are not just your friends. They are also your father’s friends. They have demonstrated their faithfulness over time and over generations. His exhortation is not meaningless. As we move through the course of life, circumstances, interests, occupations, hobbies – all are subject to change. But changing circumstances should not result in distance in friendships. Relationships that mean something should stand the test of time and change. If your friendships vacillate as often as your life circumstances change, your whole life is likely lived in the shallows. A good way to inventory your approach to relationships is to ask yourself some questions: If the worst imaginable calamity hit me today, who would show up and who would stay for the long haul? What would they tell me? To whom would they point me for help? And, what relationships have I allowed to subside due to superficial concerns?