friend in need is the friend in deed

That is true for me. Friends that are there buy your side when you need someone to share something is really true friends. But when you meet that kind of friend, you have to be there and help when they want someone too. If you don't do that, I'm sure you will lost the very best friends. Remember, best friend SHARE, not only TAKE or GIVE.

It speaks more of what kind of friend *you* are, not the person in need. If someone you call a friend needs help, physically, financially, emotionally, and you don't offer your help willingly, you are not a friend, not a person someone would want to try to befriend and not worthy of friends.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. It's how you phrase that. :)