--_Holland_.

* * * * *

I exhort you to lay the foundations of virtue, without which friendship
cannot exist, in such a manner that, with this one exception, you may
consider that nothing in the world is more excellent than friendship.

--_Cicero_.

* * * * *

It is a beautiful thing to feel that our friends are God's gifts to us.
Thinking of it has made me understand why we love and are loved,
sometimes when we cannot explain what causes the feeling. Feeling so
makes friendship such a sacred, holy thing!

--_Porter_.

* * * * *

If my brother, or kinsman, will be my friend, I ought to prefer him
before a stranger; or I show little duty or nature to my parents.

And as we ought to prefer our kindred in point of affection, so, too, in
point of charity, if equally needing and deserving.

--_Penn_.