A Friend in Need Will Remember You When Hes in Need Again
A friend in need is a friend indeed
What'south the meaning of the phrase 'A friend in need is a friend indeed'?
There are various interpretations of the meaning of 'a friend in need is a friend indeed'.
Firstly, is it 'a friend in need is a friend indeed' or 'a friend in need is a friend in human activity'?
Secondly, is it 'a friend (when you are) in need' or 'a friend (who is) in need'? If the former, then the phrase means: 'someone who helps you when you are in demand is a truthful friend'. If the latter, it is 'someone who needs your help becomes specially friendly in gild to obtain it'.
So, that gives u.s.a. four options:
1. A friend, (when you are) in need, is indeed a truthful friend. ('indeed')
2. A friend, (when y'all are) in need, is someone who is prepared to human action to show it ('in deed')
3. A friend, (who is) in demand, is indeed a true friend. ('indeed')
4. A friend, (who is) in need, is someone who is prepared to human activity to prove it ('in human action')
The original pregnant can be resolved to some caste by the documentary evidence - see below. Even so, although most people have no doubt that No.1 is right. There is no unambiguous right or wrong hither and this is a phrase the meaning of which we probably infer from the context in which we start hear it.
Whichever of the higher up options we initially opt for will cement our understanding of the phrase, probably forever.
What's the origin of the phrase 'A friend in need is a friend indeed'?
A version of this saying was known past the 3rd century BC. Quintus Ennius wrote: 'Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur'. This translates from the Latin as 'a sure friend is known when in difficulty'.
The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations lists it as existing in English language from the 11th century. The earliest version I tin detect is from Caxton's Sonnes of Aymon, 1489:
"It is sayd, that at the nede the frende is knowen."
The morality play Everyman besides contains similar lines. The play's date is uncertain and scholars place it equally 'late 15th century'. This could exist before Caxton'south work:
Fellowship: Sir, I say as I volition do in deed.
Everyman: So exist you lot a good friend at need;
In the 16th century the maxim was recorded every bit follows in John Heywood'south A Dialogue conteinyng the nomber in issue of all the Prouerbes in the Englishe tongue, 1562:
Evidence [that is, exam] thy friend ere [earlier] thou have need; only, in-deed
A friend is never known till a man take need.
Before I had need, my almost present foes
Seemed my most friends; but thus the world goes
So, what does that evidence bespeak in terms of original meaning? Ennius' text is ambiguous and, being a subsequently translation, can't exist considered the original source of the phrase in English language. Caxton's version is likewise unhelpful. The Everyman play is clearer in its intent and supports interpretation 2. Heywood's verse can't be considered the original meaning equally the other citations pre-engagement it. Nevertheless it is worth considering equally Heywood was an indefatigable recorder of proverbs equally understood in England in the 16th century. It is safe to say that, whatever view nosotros have at present, in 1562, either i or two was the accepted meaning.
Neither interpretation 3 nor 4 appears to be supported past early on texts and, every bit neither is widely accepted today, it seems safe to disbelieve them. On the balance of evidence, interpretation 2 has the best claim to be the original meaning of the phrase.
Then, all of the above points to the meaning being 'a friend, (when you are in demand) is someone who is prepared to prove their friendship (by their deeds)' .
A search of web-based cloth shows that 'a friend in need is a friend indeed' has virtually twice the public currency than does 'a friend in need is a friend in deed'. Those who stand for the latter are probably correct, but they will have a hard fourth dimension irresolute the mind of the 'indeed' contingent.
See also: the List of Proverbs.
Source: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-friend-in-need-is-a-friend-indeed.html
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