One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it’s worth while seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
On what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend
With the whole round world agin you.

’Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
Will settle the finding for ’ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ’em go
By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.

But if he finds you and you find him,
The rest of the world don’t matter;
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
With you in any water.

You can use his purse with no more talk
Than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk
As though there had been no lendings.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ’em call
For silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man he’s worth ’em all
Because you can show him your feelings.

His wrong’s your wrong, and his right’s your right,
In season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men’s sight
With that for your only reason!

Nine hundred and ninety-nine can’t bide
The shame or mocking or laughter,
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
To the gallows-foot — and after!

Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends;
And a fair-speaking tongue will multiply courtesies.
Let those that are at peace with thee be many;
But thy counsellors one of a thousand.
If thou wouldest get thee a friend, get him by proving,
And be not in haste to trust him.
For there is a friend [that is so] for his own occasion;
And he will not continue in the day of thy affliction.
And there is a friend that turneth to enmity;
And he will discover strife to thy reproach.
And there is a friend that is a companion at the table;
And he will not continue in the day of thy affliction.
And in thy prosperity he will be as thyself,
And will be bold over thy servants:
If thou shalt be brought low, he will be against thee,
And will hide himself from thy face.
Separate thyself from thine enemies;
And beware of thy friends.
A faithful friend is a strong defence;
And he that hath found him hath found a treasure.
There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend;
And his excellency is beyond price.
A faithful friend is a medicine of life;
And they that fear the Lord shall find him.
He that feareth the Lord directeth his friendship aright;
For as he is, so is his neighbour also.