Associating with People

Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:

I do not, of my own accord, associate with the wealthy. However, if they associate with me, then I fulfil their needs and do not turn away from them. Many a wealthy person is such that when someone wishes to meet and associate with him, he gets the impression that the person wishes to associate with him on account of his wealth. On the contrary, if one merely speaks kindly to the poor, many of them are appreciative of the kind treatment shown to them and feel obliged towards you. (Malfoozaat Husnul Azeez pg. 218)