But friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.

Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.

The best time to make friends is before you need them.

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.

Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.

There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. We cannot force it any more than love.

It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help.

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.

Never explain - your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.