The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. (Henry David Thoreau, 19th century American writer, philosopher, and naturalist)
The basis for friendship today is often merely mutual appreciation for similar things—sports teams, political parties, common causes, etc. Thoreau sees friendship as something more simple but significant: “If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?”
[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7).