“Friends show their love in times of trouble, not happiness”

This quote from Euripides reminds us that true friendship is revealed when we see who stays with us when we are at our low point, not who is riding with us when we are succeeding.

We all instinctually understand this, but what is it saying? It is saying that if a friend sticks by you when you are going through a rough time, they are your friend because they value you, and don’t condition it on what you achieve.

When you are succeeding, it becomes much easier for other people to see the positives in you. Whether it is the glow of your success, or someone wanting to be a part of the success, there is always momentum toward being friends with someone when they are on the up.

There’s no glamor or social rise that you get when you stick with someone who isn’t succeeding, and has no guarantee that they ever will. You might not want to associate with someone failing, lest you become “influenced” by them to fail yourself.

Of course, you don’t want to be around people who are genuinely bad influences, but if you have a friend who simply is having a rough go of it, if you truly are their friend, you stand by them.

You really show your love, whether to a friend or family member, or acquaintance, when things are tough. In these times, you aren’t expecting glory or anything in return for your love. You do it because you are with the person through thick and thin.

Backing someone when others don’t, or when they are at their worst, shows belief and loyalty. Backing someone when they are at their best is what you do when you are fair-weather.

People show you who they really are when things get difficult. Remember that for both when your friend needs your support, and when you need your friend’s support.