No friend’s a friend till he shall prove a friend.
—Beaumont and Fletcher
We hate some persons because we do not know them, and we will not know them because we hate them. The friendships that succeed to such aversions are usually firm, for those qualities must be sterling that could not only gain our hearts, but conquer our prejudices.
—Colton
The amity that wisdom knits not, folly may easily untie.
—Shakespeare
O friendship, equal-poised control,
O heart with kindliest motion warm,
O sacred essence, other form,
O solemn ghost, O crowned soul!
—Tennyson
Who friendship with a knave hath made
Is judg’d a partner in the trade.
—John Gay
Let your friends be the friends of your deliberate choice.
—Balthasar Gracian