Interior freedom is not yet possessed by anyone who cannot close his eyes to the fault of a friend, whether real or apparent.
‘There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend’ (Ecclesiasticus 6.15), for he makes his own the misfortunes of his friend and endures them, suffering with him, even to death. Friends are legion in time of prosperity. But in the hour of trial scarcely one will be found.
Only those who keep the commandments carefully, and those admitted to the secrets of God's judgments, do not forsake their friends when their friends, by God's permission, are put to the test.
MAXIMUS THE CONFESSOR Centuries on Charity, IV
