In friendship we must realize that a friend inferior in position or poorer in life than we are should not for one moment be regarded as such. When he is a friend, in whatever condition he may be or whatever position he may occupy, he must be considered our equal; and the same spirit of equality should be borne in mind in dealing with a friend, however high his position may be. Convention should not be more than is necessary for his evolution. The sense of difference must be avoided in every aspect of dealing with a friend. There must be no secrets between true friends.

The use of friendship for a selfish motive is like mixing bitter poison with sweet rose-syrup; and it is necessary to be ready, without the least hesitation, to serve a friend attentively, in every capacity of life, not expecting for one moment any thanks or return from him.

A friend, in the true sense of the word, is nearer and closer than our own family, relations, neighbors, nation, and race.

The secret of the friend should be kept as one's own secret;
the fault of the friend one should hide as one's own fault;
the honor of the friend must be considered as one's own honor;
an enemy of the friend should be regarded as our enemy;
a friend of the friend must be considered as our friend.

One must not boast of friendship, but must practice it, for the claimants are so often false.

In the despair of the friend, consolation must be given;
in the poverty of the friend, support is necessary;
in the shortcomings of the friend, overlooking is necessary;
in the trouble of the friend, help should be given;
with the joy of the friend, rejoicing is right.

To be today friendly and tomorrow unfriendly cannot for one moment be called friendship; the value of friendship is in its constancy. Forbearance, patience, and tolerance are the only conditions which keep two individual hearts united.

There is a saying in Hindustani, by Seman, on friendship, "Stand by your friend in his time of need, like the reed on the bank of the river."

When a man is sinking in the water and catches hold of a reed, it will save him if it is strong; and if not, it will sink along with him.