A sincere disciple should learn to dissociate the mind from everything material and positively cultivate association with his spiritual master and other saintly devotees. He should be merciful to those in an inferior position to him, cultivate friendship with those on an equal level and meekly serve those in a higher spiritual position. Thus he should learn to deal properly with all living beings.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
सर्वतो मनसोऽसङ्गमादौ सङ्गं च साधुषु । दयां मैत्रीं प्रश्रयं च भूतेष्वद्धा यथोचितम्
sarvato manaso'saṅgamādau saṅgaṃ ca sādhuṣu | dayāṃ maitrīṃ praśrayaṃ ca bhūteṣvaddhā yathocitam
SB 11.3.23