the apparent dependence on a friend is due to the fact that he has
valuable principles to teach which may take time to learn, but which
lead in the end to greater freedom, then to give up such companionship,
out of regard for the criticism of others would, of course, be weakness
and folly itself. It is often our lot to incur the severest blame for
the very weaknesses which we have most entirely overcome.

Many people will say:--

"I should rather be independently wrong than dependently right," and
others will admire them for the assertion. But the truth is, that
whenever one is wrong, one is necessarily dependent, either upon man or
devil; but it is impossible to be dependently right, excepting for the
comparatively short time that we may need for a definite, useful
purpose. If a man is right in his mental and moral attitude merely
because his friend is right, and not because he wants the right
himself, it will only be a matter of time before his prop is taken
away, and he will fall back into his own moral weakness. Of course, a
man can begin to be right because his friend is right;--but it is
because there is something in him which responds to the good in his
friend. Strong men are true to their friendships and convictions, in
spite of appearances and the clamor of their critics.

True independence is never afraid of appearing dependent, and true
dependence leads always to the most perfect independence.

We cannot, really enjoy our own freedom without the growing desire and
power to help other people to theirs. Our own love of independence will
bring with it an equal love for the independence of our neighbor; and
our own love of true dependence--that is, of receiving wise help from
any one through whom it may be sent--will give us an equal love for
giving help wherever it will be welcome. Our respect for our own
independence will make it impossible that we should insist upon trying
to give help to others where it is not wanted; and our own respect for
true dependence will give us a loving charity, a true respect for those
who are necessarily and temporarily dependent, and teach us to help
them to their true balance.

We should learn to keep a margin of reserve for ourselves, and to give
the same margin to others. Not to come too near, but to be far enough
away from every one to give us a true perspective. There is a sort of
familiarity that arises sometimes between friends, or even mere
acquaintances, which close