The Jewish Wisdom Database

A good man does his fellow a favor for no reason save that he is a good man.

Whoso asks forgiveness from a friend should not plead more than thrice.

Who belittles his friend lacks wit.

Wealth makes many friends.

A faithful friend is a powerful defence; he that has found such a one has found a treasure.

Forsake not an old friend, for the new one is not his peer! A new friend is as new wine: when it is old, you shall drink it with pleasure.

Do not cast out an old friend for a new one!

Whoso casts a stone at a bird will frighten it away; and whoso abuses a friend will estrange affection.

A faithful friend is the medicine of life.

A friendless man is like a right hand without the left.

There is no treasure like friends.

Friends are of three kinds: one like food which one cannot do without; one like medicine which you may need now and then; and one like pestilence which no one needs at all.

The eye of the needle is not too narrow for two friends and the vastness of the world not enough for two enemies.

A man may hide himself from his enemies, but not from his friends.

Your true friend is the one that knows your faults and yet will love you.

Press not your friend to dine with you when you know that he dines not, nor offer him many gifts when you know that he accepts them not!

If you give your friend a gift, you should tell him.

Who welcomes his friend with a smile is as one giving him the finest gifts in the world.

Who eats even plain bread and salt with his friend should be grateful to him.

Who raises his hand against a friend is wicked even if he does not strike him.

If your friend did you a little good, let it be large in your sight! If he did you much harm, think it a trifle!

No man knows what is in his friend's heart.

Who keeps quiet and does not call on his friends for help in trouble will be answerable for the consequences himself.

Who is the greatest of heroes? He that makes his foe his friend.

If you are jealous of your friend, he flourishes and you fall.