usually not
frank--but only brutal. A true friend will never needlessly hurt, but
also will never let slip occasions through cowardice. To speak the
truth in love takes off the edge of unpleasantness, which so often is
found in truth-speaking. And however the wound may smart, in the end
we are thankful for the faithfulness which caused it. "Let the
righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it
shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head."

In our relations with each other, there is usually more advantage to be
reaped from friendly encouragement, than from friendly correction.
True criticism does not consist, as so many critics seem to think, in
depreciation, but in appreciation; in putting oneself sympathetically
in another's position, and seeking to value the real worth of his work.
There are more lives spoiled by undue harshness, than by undue
gentleness. More good work is lost from want of appreciation than from
too much of it; and certainly it is not the function of friendship to
do the critic's work. Unless carefully repressed, such a spirit
becomes censorious, or, worse still, spiteful, and has often been the
means of losing a friend. It is possible to be kind, without giving
crooked counsel, or oily flattery; and it is possible to be true,
without magnifying faults, and indulging in cruel rebukes.

Besides the joy of friendship, and its aid in matters of counsel, a
third of its noble fruits is the direct _help_ it can give us in the
difficulties of life. It gives strength to the character. It sobers
and steadies through the responsibility for each other which it means.
When men face the world together, and are ready to stand shoulder to
shoulder, the sense of comradeship makes each strong. This help may
not often be called into play, but just to know that it is there if
needed is a great comfort, to know that if one fall the other will lift
him up. The very word friendship suggests kindly help and aid in
distress. Shakespeare applies the word in _King Lear_ to an inanimate
thing with this meaning of helpfulness,--

Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel;
Some _friendship_ will it lend you 'gainst the tempest.

Sentiment does not amount to much, if it is not an inspiring force to
lead to gentle and to generous deeds, when there is need. The fight is
not so hard, when we know that we are not alone, but that there are
some who think of us, and pray for