(_c_) THE VIRTUES. So much for the Vices. It is time to consider the positive qualities that the Sages praised, and the foregoing picture of guile raises thoughts of its opposite. Let us begin therefore with the praises of True Friendship. Ben Sirach expands the subject into a little essay: _If thou wouldest get thee a friend, get him by dint of trial, and be not in haste to trust him. For there is a friend that is such for his own occasion, and he will not continue in the day of thine affliction. And there is a friend that turneth to an enemy, and he will be openly at strife with thee to thy confusion. And there is a friend that is a companion at the table_ (_i.e._, a “cupboard-lover”), _and he will not remain in the hour of thy distress.... A faithful friend is a strong defence, and he that hath found him hath found a treasure. There is nothing can be exchanged for a faithful friend, and his excellency is beyond all price. A faithful friend is a medicine of life, and they that fear the Lord shall find him_ (E. 6^{7{ff}}). To match any single proverb against such words is a hard test, yet there is one that not only can bear the ordeal but is perhaps the finest of all epitomes of friendship: _A friend is always friendly, born to be a brother in adversity_ (Pr. 17^{17}, mg. R.V.). Seeing that the Wise saw in the fool’s pride and self-sufficiency his worst and fatal error, it is only to be expected that they should lay constant stress on the duties of preserving an open mind and continuing amenable to instruction and reproof: _Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go, for she is thy life_ (Pr. 4^{13})--_Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is a boor_ (Pr. 12^{1})--_He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be broken, and that beyond mending_ (Pr. 29^{1}). No less prominent and much more remarkable (seeing how profoundly and persistently falsehood in speech has beset the Oriental character) is the demand for Truthfulness: _A righteous man hates deception_ (Pr. 13^{5}). We are told that only truth endures: _The lip of truth shall be established for ever, whereas a lying tongue is but for a moment_ (Pr. 12^{19}). Sincerity of character is often extolled in plain speech and in metaphor: _The righteousness of the perfect shall make straight his way_ (Pr. 11^{5})--_The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life_ (Pr. 10^{11})--_The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver_ (Pr. 10^{20})--_The lips of the righteous feed many_ (Pr. 10^{21})--_The thoughts of the righteous are just_ (Pr. 12^{5})--_The heart of the righteous studieth what to answer, but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things_ (Pr. 15^{28}).[64]--_The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life_ (Pr. 11^{30}). Integrity of purpose is even more beautifully commended in this memorable proverb: _He that loveth pureness of heart, and on whose lips is grace, the king shall be his friend_ (Pr. 22^{11}).