Friday’s List To Live By #74

The wise man wrote, “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity (Prov. 17:17).

In his neat book, How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free, Ernie J. Zelinski, has an entire chapter aptly titled, “Your Wealth is Where Your Friends Are.”

Zelinski says that having close relationships with others is important as we grow older. In it, he offers some qualities people cherish in a close friend.

A True Friend…

…Continues to like you whether you end up rich or poor.

…Likes you despite your achievements.

…Will not abuse you in any way.

…Will not take advantage of you in times of weakness.

…Will not desert you when you are down.

…Is someone with whom you can be sincere and vulnerable.

…Is a confidant who won’t tell your most personal secrets to someone else.

…Will defend you in your absence when someone says something nasty about you.

…Will get you to laugh when you become too serious about life.

Of course, as Ralph Waldo Emerson opined, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman