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A true friend cannot be replaced by anything, and there is no measure of his kindness. A faithful friend is a strong shield (Sir. 6:14–15) and a fenced kingdom; a faithful friend is an animated treasure. A true friend is worth more than gold and many precious stones. A faithful friend is a locked garden, a sealed spring (Song 4:12), which is temporarily opened and used temporarily. A faithful friend is a refuge for repose. And if he is distinguished by prudence, then this is even more precious! If he is high in learning, comprehensive learning, as our learning should be and once was, then this is even more advantageous. And if he is the son of light (John 12:36), or a man of God (1 Tim. 6:11), or approaching God (Exodus 19:22), or a man of the best desires (Dan. 9:23), or worthy of one of the similar names with which Scripture distinguishes men of the Divine, high and belonging to things above, then this is already a gift from God and, obviously, above our dignity (1). As for friends, I know well that alone, and having suffered something bad, they will not run away from me, for condolences are produced only by the common patience of insults. And if I am despised by others, then I have already learned to endure contempt. For some of my friends, and sincere ones, even openly, retreated from me; others, the most humane, stand at a distance (see Ps. 37:12–13) (2). No acquisition is better than a friend, but never acquire a bad person as a friend (2). Friends love and what is loved by friends, but enemies despise and disgrace friends (2). It's hard to suffer, and even harder to suffer from friends. If friends bite secretly, then this is unbearable, and if they are believers, it is even more unbearable, and if they are God’s servants, then where to turn then? How to avoid the pursuit of evil (2)? Do not spare anything for a faithful friend who showed himself not behind the cup, but in stormy times, who does nothing to please you except what is useful. Know the limits of enmity, not favor (2). Do not make friends with a vicious and worthless person: the infection penetrates even strong members. You will not communicate your virtue to your friend, and the shame of his life will fall on you (2). Those who live according to God and are guided by the same Gospel are all friends and relatives among themselves (2). I wish my friends that everything will be successful. And when I call someone friends, I mean wonderful, kind people, united with me by bonds of virtue, because I myself strive for virtue (2). If someone asked me: what is the best thing in life? I would answer: friends. And among them, who should be more revered? I would answer: kind (2). You might be interested in: