Who is a True Friend?

" In prosperity our friends know us, in adversity we know our friends."( - John C. Collins )

"Friends are hard to find so be careful.." so goes a popular saying. We all need friends, and it is a known fact that the friends we keep is one of the determinants of how far we go in life. So who is a true friend? It is well known that some people who claim to be friends may abandon you when you face the adversities of life. These are the ' fair weather' friends; they hang out with you when things are smooth, and enjoy life with you. But when things become tough to the point where you find yourself at ' ground zero', they take off.

People are the same ever where,no matter the colour of their skin or nationality. We all have emotions, as an aspect of our personalities, hence the need for relationships; to be with others and relate with them. Man was never made to live in isolation, but in company of others with mutual interests. It is a known truth that the essence of relationships is sharing of resources- my strengths for your weaknesses and your strengths for my weaknesses.

So, a true friend really is one who understands the essence of relationships and does not shirk from the responsibilities, no matter what. To borrow this lines from the holy bible: " A friend loves at all times.." and "...there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

We can conclude who a true friend is from these words of Richard Exley : " A true friend is one who hears and understands when you share your deepest feelings. He supports you when you are struggling; he corrects you, gently and with love, when you err; and he forgives you when you fail. A true friend prods you to personal growth, stretches you to your full potential. And most amazing of all, he celebrates you successes as if they were his own."

Are you a true friend?