How To Identify Your True Friends
They Know When to Tell a Little White Lie
Friends are the pillars on which we rest when the need arises. In as much as some people claim that they don’t need friends, everyone needs a friend. According to Aristotle,
“In poverty and other misfortunes of life, friends are the sure refuge. They keep the young out of mischief and they incite those in the prime of life to good deeds”
As true as Aristotle’s statement is, there are people who come as friends but truly aren’t. Such bad friendships have caused more harm than good in society today. Sadly, in recent times, there have been
reports about various cases of people who were killed by their own friends.
That is the reason why it is important to know how to separate a fake friend from a true friend. Here are some of the ways you can do that. Please read on!
They Know When to Tell a Little White Lie
Being truthful in any kind of relationship is obviously a necessity but sometimes, a little white lie would suffice. Once in a while, a true friend knows when to tell you a lie to spare your feelings. If you have a friend who always tells you the truth and doesn’t mind if
the truth would be too harsh on your feelings, I’m afraid something isn’t right about them. A true friend would care about your feelings because they can’t stand seeing you hurt in any way.
They Hate it When Badmouth You
If you have a friend who doesn’t get offended when someone talks badly of you or when someone says something that’s untrue about you, they’re probably not that invested in the friendship. A true friend wouldn’t have such a nonchalant attitude towards you. There’s an expression we use for friends who defend you from naysayers, They carry your matter on their head. If they hear anyone speak anything remotely untrue or see anyone gossiping about you,
they’d speak up immediately.
They Always Got Your Back
Your true friend would have your back at all times no matter what. They are always ready to fight for you. They feel your pain, they feel your joy. They are always ready to stand by you even when it comes at great cost. To them, you are worth every risk. They won't mind putting their lives in line for yours. I know a guy who took a bullet for his friend who was being shot at by armed robbers. Luckily, he survived but that was something!
A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
– Walter Winchell
They Buy What You’re Selling
I know a lot of people who have failed in this area as friends. People who feel entitled to their friend’s business all in the name of friendship. They always expect to get free stuff from their friend’s business. The worse part of this is when they know the business is
still new and in need of patronage, they still request to get the products for free. “what are friends for?’’ they’d usually say. If you have a friend like that, there’s a name for such — Leech. Trust me, you don't need those in your life.
The sooner you break away from such people, the better for you. Your true friend would insist on paying for your product or your
services because they want to contribute to the growth and success
of your business or career.
They Pray For You
A person who is your true friend would love you and a person who loves you would never fail to pray for you or wish you well. This is because they don't just see you as a friend, they see as part of them. So, every good thing that they wish for themselves, they’d wish the same for you. Your success and happiness give them tremendous joy.
Now let me ask you,
- Do you have a friend or friends who pray for or with you or genuinely wish you well?
- Do you have a friend who supports you?
- Do you have a friend who defends your name?
- Do you have a friend who insists on paying for your products or services?
- Do you have a friend who tells you a little harmless lie to spare your feelings?
If your answers to all these questions are yes, then congratulations! you got yourself a true friend.