The Beauties of Friendship

by Samuel Francis Wooland

"A Friend..."
The first person who comes in when the whole world has gone out. A bank or credit on which we can draw supplies of confidence, counsel, sympathy, help and love. One who combines for you alike the pleasures and benefits of society and solitude. A jewel whose luster the stong acids of poverty and misfortune cannot dim. One who multiplies joys, divides griefs, and whose honesty is inviolable. One who loves the truth and you, and will tell the truth inspite of you. The triple alliance of the three great powers, love, sympathy, and help. A watch which beats true for all time, and never "runs down." A permanent fortification when one's affairs are in a state of siege. One who to himself is true, and therefore must be so to you. A balancing pole to him who walks across the tightrope of life. The link in life's long chain that bears the greatest strain. A harbor of refuge from the stormy waves of adversity. One who considers my need before my deserving. The jewel that shines brightest in the darkness. A stimulant to the nobler side of our nature. A star of hope in the clouds of adversity. A diamond in the ring of acquaintance. A volume of sympathy bound in cloth. Friendship-one soul in two bodies. An insurance against misanthropy. One truer to me than I am myself. One who understands our silence. A link of gold in the chain of life. The essence of pure devotion. The sunshine of calamity. A second right hand.