* * * * *

Oh, the comfort--the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a
person--having neither to weigh thought nor measure words, but pouring
them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain
that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth
keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

--_Muloch_.

* * * * *

O matchless wisdom; those seem to take the sun out of the world who
remove friendship from the pleasures of life: than which we have
received nothing better or more pleasant from the gods.

--_Cicero_.

* * * * *

Not on the store of sprightly wine,
Nor plenty of delicious meats,
Though generous Nature did design
To court us with perpetual treats;
'Tis not on these we for content depend,
So much as on the shadow of a friend.

--_Menander_.