Our health is soon decayed; goods, casual, light and vain;
Broke have we seen the force of power, and honor suffer stain.
In body’s lust man doth resemble but base brute;
True virtue gets and keeps a friend, good guide of our pursuit.
Whose hearty zeal with ours accords in every case;
No term of mine, no space of place, no storm can it deface.
—Nicholas Grimoald.
The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow upon him. If he knows I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?
—Lavater.