For to have the same predilections and the same aversions, that and that alone is the surest bond of friendship.
—Sallust.
False friends, like insects in a summer's day,
Bask in the sunshine, but avoid the shower;
Uncertain visitants, they flee away
E'en when misfortune's cloud begins to lower.
Into life's bitter cup true friendship drops
Balsamic sweets to overpower the gall;
True friends, like ivy and the wall it props,
Both stand together, or together fall.
—Anonymous.
He who cannot feel friendship is alike incapable of love. Let a woman beware of the man who owns that he loves no one but herself.
—Talleyrand.
* * * * *
How were friendship possible? In mutual devotedness to the Good and True: otherwise impossible; except as armed neutrality or hollow commercial league. A man, be the heavens ever praised, is sufficient for himself; yet were ten men, united in love, capable of being and doing what ten thousand singly would fail. Infinite is the help man can yield to man!
—Carlyle.
He that hath gained a friend, hath given hostages to fortune.