Though nothing is more common than to hear people profess services of
friendship where there is no occasion for them, yet scarce any thing is
so hard to be found as a true friend, who will assist us in time of
danger and difficulty. All the declarations of kindness which are made
to an experienced man, though accompanied by a squeeze of the hand, and
a solemn asseveration, should leave no greater impression upon his mind
than the whistling of the hollow breeze which brushes one's ear with an
unmeaning salute, and is presently gone. He that succours our necessity
by a well-timed assistance, though it were not ushered in by previous
compliments, will ever after be looked upon as our friend and protector;
and, in so much a greater degree, as the favour was unasked and
unpromised; as it was not extorted by importunities on the one side, nor
led in by a numerous attendance of promises on the other. Words are
nothing till they are fulfilled by actions; and therefore we should not
suffer ourselves to be deluded by a vain hope and reliance upon them.