have experienced. A friend is dearer than the light of heaven, for it
would be better for us that the sun were extinguished than that we
should be without friends.

--_S. Chrysostom_.

* * * * *

Strange as it may sound, we are sometimes rather disposed to choose our
friends from the unworthy than the worthy; for though it is difficult to
love those whom we do not esteem, it is a greater difficulty to love
those whom we esteem much more than ourselves. A perfect friendship
requires equality, even in virtue.

--_Smith_.

* * * * *

Sincerity, truth, faithfulness, come into the very essence of
friendship.

--_Channing_.

* * * * *

Somehow or other, friendship entwines itself with the life of all men,
nor does it suffer any mode of spending our life to be independent of
itself.

--_Cicero_.