There lurks a danger in the shadows of new alliances, for the soul cannot judge by mere appearances. In newness there is mistrust and deceit. An old foe is often better than a new friend.
But what is the aim and purpose of friendship? If a man has a parent, or a sibling, or a spouse, might he not find completeness and satisfaction in kindred affections? Is it always required of one to make external alliances when joy, beauty and love awaits at home?
It might be argued that friendship is a tool that affects our lives by either presenting or taking away from us some sorts of advantages and disadvantages, but might a man not make a life for himself and decide whether or not he is to be blessed or be cursed by it? Such is a challenge that friendships and alliances present. I believe a man can seek for freedom on his own, can, indeed, craft his own path to self-reliance, no matter how arduous the task might appear to be.
Every individual on earth should rely not on friendships as a resolve for the failures and misfortunes that may either be of their own creation, or has been handed down to them by the impartial hand of fate.
TO DECONSTRUCT A MAXIM
The popular aphorism ” a friend in need is a friend indeed” might not fully carry the weight of the meaning it intends to supply, for a friend is a friend whether or not he presents himself in the other’s time of need.
For when does a friendship begin, and when should it end? To define is to limit. Need in itself need not be the pillars on which a friendship stands, nor the ceiling on which it hangs, lest, should need be absent, the friendship but suspends mid-air, thereby losing its meaning.
In the case where either parties is in mutual alliance might require the assistance of the other, and perchance to whom aid is hoped from is absent, unavailable, or somehow incapable of providing help to the other party, does this friendship need to topple and fall over? Shall it merely disappear into nothingness? Shall it be said of the other, ” we were once friends, but his refusal to avail himself ( or his mere absence) in my time of need has caused the immediate termination of our friendship”.
Such a thought tends to suggest that “to be a friend is to owe”. The result of this inclination is an endless state of savage competition, which leads to unhealthy dissatisfaction, therefore bitter division. The enmity caused thereby is often of the most hostile nature.
The worth of a true friend should not be measured by how much one can bring to the common table: a state of enmity should not be decided on how much one takes. Contrariwise, each individual should remember that in him lies the Divine principle of truthfulness, honesty and sincerity. In the event that one party proves cunning and insecure, he has never been a friend but has been a foe disguised in petty politeness and plastic intentions, no matter how long the purported friendship might appear to have lasted.
If one cannot survive but by relying on a fellow for encouragement, or motivation, or food, they should only be sincere in their need, and should not expect what they seek from those they dearly consider friends.
There is no mortal law that calls for an over-expenditure of one’s own resources, whether scanty or excessive, in the suppliance of the needs or desires of whoever they consider, nor whoever is considered of them, friends.
The law of love rests on the foundation of “freely giving, freely receiving”, with no ill emotions attached to such an enterprise. This is the Divine law of nature, as is demonstrated by the winding rivers as they flow from their hilly fountains to join as one the ocean.
Should one be in need, be they friend or foe, it is my solemn duty to help in as much capacity as I possibly can and as the present allows, whether or not they were anticipating my aid, and whether or not they are all or least deserving.
Thus, instead of saying ” a friend in need is a friend indeed”, we can conclusively and satisfactorily say, ” a friend remains a friend” , no matter how extreme the situation may be.
