I am weary
Of the bewildering masquerade of Life,
Where strangers walk as friends and friends as strangers;
Where whispers overheard betray false hearts;
And through the mazes of the crowd we chase
Some form of loveliness, that smiles, and beckons,
And cheats us with fair words, only to leave us
A mockery and a jest; maddened, confused,—
Not knowing friend from foe.

Longfellow


Test of Friendship

A friend should be like money—tried before being required, not found faulty in our need.

Plutarch

He is our friend who loves more than admires us, and would aid us in our great work.

William Ellery Channing