When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never forgive the loss of their prerogative.

Francis Bacon

There is as much difference between the counsel that a friend giveth, and that a man giveth himself, as there is between the counsel of a friend and of a flatterer. For there is no such flatterer as is a man’s self. 

Francis Bacon

The worst solitude is to have no real friendships. 

Francis Bacon

Friendship increases in visiting friends, but in visiting them seldom.

Francis Bacon

We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends.

Francis Bacon

There is little friendship in the world, and least of all between equals.

Francis Bacon

This communicating of a man’s self to his friend works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joy, and cutteth griefs in half

Francis Bacon, (1561 — 9 April 1626) was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, and author.