From the heart of a friend

by Unknown

Is truth of heart and manly dealing.

Then let them seek, whose minds are weak,

Mere fashion’s smile, and try to win it;

The house to me may lowly be,

If I but like the people in it.

—Swain.

There is no such certain evidence of friendship as never to overlook the sins and failings of our brethren. Hast thou seen them at enmity? Reconcile them. Hast thou seen them set on unlawful gain? Check them. Hast thou seen them wronged? Stand up in their defense. It is not on them but on thyself thou art conferring the chief benefit. It is for this purpose that we are friends—that we may be of good service to one another. A man will listen in a different spirit to a friend. An indifferent person he will regard perhaps with suspicion, and so in like manner an instructor, but not so a true friend.

—St. Chrysostom.