A true friend is so great an advantage, even for the greatest lords, i… — Pensées
SAPIR 861
A true friend is so great an advantage, even for the greatest lords, in order that he may speak well of them, and back them in their absence, that they should do all to have one. But they should choose well; for, if they spend all their efforts in the interests of fools, it will be of no use, however well these may speak of them; and these will not even speak well of them if they find themselves on the weakest side, for they have no influence; and thus they will speak ill of them in company.
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (WLC), CC BY 4.0