“The gift of a full and perfect friendship cannot last if it is not among people of similar virtue. And this is what the holy Fathers taught, establishing certain stages in order to arrive at a perfect and unchanging condition of friendship. They said that the first step of true friendship is to despise earthly things…”
Rabanus Maurus, 9th c. — ON ECCLESIASTICUS 2:2
Original
17Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.
Modern
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In context
15Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.
16A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.
— Sirach 6:17 —
18My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.
19Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.