a friend in need is a friend indeed

a friend in need is a friend indeed
A friend in need is one who helps when one is in need or difficulty. Cf. EURIPIDES Hecuba 1. 1226 ἐν τοῖς κακοῖς γὰρ ἁγαθοὶ σαϕέστατοι ϕίλοι, for in adversity good friends are most clearly seen; ENNIUS Scaenica 210 (Vahlen) amicus certus in re incerta cernitur, a sure friend is known in unsure times.

c 1035 Durham Proverbs (1956) 10 Æt thearfe man sceal freonda cunnian [friend shall be known in time of need].

a 1400 Titus & Vespasian (1905) 98 I shal the save When tyme cometh thou art in nede; Than ogh men frenshep to shewe in dede.

a 1449 LYDGATE Minor Poems (EETS) II. 755 Ful weele is him that fyndethe a freonde at neede.

1678 J. RAY English Proverbs (ed. 2) 142 A friend in need is a friend indeed.

1773 R. GRAVES Spiritual Quixote II. VIII. xx. (heading) A Friend in Need is a Friend indeed.

1866 C. READE Griffith Gaunt III. xv. You came to my side when I was in trouble... A friend in need is a friend indeed.

1985 D. WILLIAMS Wedding Treasure viii. He never felt quite right about calling up scripture—at least not in private. ‘Friend in need is a friend indeed,’ he added. That was better.


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  • a friend in need is a friend indeed — proverb a person who helps at a difficult time is a truly reliable person * * * a friend in need is a friend indeed used to say that a friend who will help you when you need help is a true friend • • • Main Entry: ↑friend a friend in need is a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • (a) friend in need is a friend indeed. — A friend in need (is a friend indeed). something that you say which means that someone who gives you help when you need it is a really good friend. She looked after my dogs while I was in hospital. A friend in need is a friend indeed …   New idioms dictionary

  • a friend in need is a friend indeed — A genuine friend on whom one can always depend. A proverb; often shortened to a friend in need... * /When John s house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing. John said, Jim, a friend in need is a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • a friend in need is a friend indeed — A genuine friend on whom one can always depend. A proverb; often shortened to a friend in need... * /When John s house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing. John said, Jim, a friend in need is a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • a\ friend\ in\ need\ is\ a\ friend\ indeed — proverb A genuine friend on whom one can always depend; often shortened to a friend in need... When John s house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing. John said, Jim, a friend in need is a friend …   Словарь американских идиом

  • a friend in need is a friend indeed — ► a friend in need is a friend indeed proverb a person who helps at a difficult time is a person to be relied upon. Main Entry: ↑friend …   English terms dictionary

  • (a) friend in need (is a friend indeed) — a ˌfriend in ˈneed (is a ˌfriend inˈdeed) idiom (saying) a friend who gives you help when you need it (is a true friend) Main entry: ↑friendidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • a friend in need is a friend indeed — Meaning The sad proverbial truth that friends become friendlier when they want something from you. Origin From Ennuis: Amicu certus in re incerta cernitur. . Translated from the Latin as A sure friend is known when in difficulty …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • a friend in need is a friend indeed — a real friend is one who is supportive in times of trouble …   English contemporary dictionary

  • friend — ► NOUN 1) a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations. 2) a familiar or helpful thing. 3) a person who supports a particular cause or organization. 4) (Friend) a Quaker. ● a friend… …   English terms dictionary

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