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Make no man your friend before inquiring how he has used his former friends;1 for you must expect him to treat you as he has treated them. Be slow2 to give your friendship, but when you have given it, strive to make it lasting; for it is as reprehensible to make many changes in one's associates as to have no friend at all. Neither test your friends to your own injury nor be willing to forgo a test of your companions. You can manage this if you pretend to be in want when really you lack nothing.
1 Cf. Xen. Mem. 2.6.6.
2 Cf. Solon, quoted in Diog. Laert. 1.60: φίλους μὴ ταχὺ κτῶ: οὓς δ᾽ ἂν κτήσῃ μὴ ἀποδοκίμαζε.