Be Wary Of Those In Power, For They Befriend A Person Only For Their Own Benefit; They Seem To Be Friends When It Is To Their Advantage, But Do Not Stand By A Man In His Hour Of Need.

Be Wary Of Those In Power

Here also, a non-literal interpretation provides an important lesson in our divine service. "Those in power" can refer to our conscious egos, thoughts and feelings. Although we must rely on these powers to control the functioning of our lives, we must be aware of their fundamental self-interest, that they are concerned only for their own benefit. Our essential selves, by contrast, are pointed towards self-transcendence. And it is through such self-transcendence that a person achieves what is truly to his benefit - a good far higher than can be perceived by intellect.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Tazria-Metzora, 5739)