An honest and true friend – St. Maximos the Confessor

There are countless phrases in regards to friendship. However, the following two, I find to be the best, given to us by St. Maximos the Confessor. 

“An honest friend is he who, in the hour of temptation, shares the sorrows, the needs and the disasters, which come with each occasion, of the one next to him, as if they were his own, in a silent and imperturbable way.”  Third Century of Love

“A faithful friend cannot be exchanged for anything because he regards his friend’s misfortunes as his own, suffering together with his friend until death.” Fourth Century of Love