Dietrich Bon Bon

"Like a clear, fresh flow of water,

in which the spirit cleanses itself from the dust of the day, cooled from the burning heat, strengthened in the hour of tiredness--like a fortress, to which after the dangers of battle the spirit retires to find safety, comfort, and strength-- such is the friend to the friend. And the spirit wants to trust, trust unconditionally. Disgusted by the worm, hidden in the shadows of the good nourishing itself on envy, scandal, and suspicion, and the poisonous tongues of a nest of vipers, who fear and hate and villify the secret of the free mind, and of the sincere heart. The spirit longs to cleanse itself from all hypocrisy and trust itself to the other spirit, totally open, bound to that spirit, freely and in truth. The ungrudgingly, he will respond will praise will give thanks will find joy and strength in the other spirit. Even under severe pressure and strong rebuke he willingly submits. Not by command, nor by alien laws and doctrines, but by good and earnest counsel, which liberates, the mature man seeks from the true friend. Far or near in success or failure, the one recognizes in the other the true helper towards freedom and humanity."