William Anderson tells us what true friendship is in this poem:
True friendship is a perfect, priceless gem.
Its greatest glory is its flawlessness.
My friends must give to me, as I to them,
Their best or nothing--I’ll accept no less.
I want the perfect music, or no song;
I want the perfect love, or none at all;
Right is not right when coupled with a wrong;
Sweet is not sweet when touched with taint of gall.
(1165)