A friend in need is a friend indeed. 
Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur.
Meaning and origin
A true friend is revealed in uncertain times.
This Latin version of this proverb "Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur" is attributed to the Roman playwright Ennius. It highlights the importance of true friendship and how it is tested and proven in difficult and uncertain situations. It suggests that a person's true character and loyalty can be seen when times are tough and uncertain.
Proverbs on a similar topic
- Like to like.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- Out of sight, out of mind.
- Love will find out the way.
- Love me, love my dog.
- There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
- Good fences make good neighbours.
- A friend in the market is better than money in the chest.
- He gives twice who gives quickly.
- Lend your money and lose your friend.
- Old love will not be forgotten.
- Dog does not eat dog.
- Love and a cough cannot be hid.
- Look not a gift horse in the mouth.
- A burden of one's own choice is not felt.
- Old friends are better than new ones.
- In time of prosperity, friends will be plenty; in time of adversity, not one amongst twenty.
- Love cannot be compelled.
- There is honour among thieves.
- Every cook praises his own broth.
- He that has a full purse never wanted a friend.
- Hawks will not pick out hawks' eyes.
- Even reckoning makes long friends.
- Fair is not fair, but that which pleaseth.
- All one's geese are swans.
- Friends may meet, but mountains never greet.
- The bird loves her nest.
- Small gifts keep friendship alive.
- Weight and measure take away strife.
- Lovers' tiffs are harmless.
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in the same language
English
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Gold is tried in the fire.
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Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
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Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
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Scilicet ut fulvum spectatur in ignibus aurum, tempore sic duro est inspicienda fides.
Of course, as gold is looked yellow in the fire, faith is hard to look at at a time like this.
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Nullus ad amissas ibit amicus opes.
No friend will go to lost wealth.
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Amicos secundae res parant, adversae probant.
They prepare friends for second things, they prove adversity.
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Sicut aurum ignis, ita etiam amicos tempus iudicat.
As fire is gold, so also time judges friends.
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In paupertate quis amicus, noscitur a te.
You know who is a friend in poverty.
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Amicitia vera in calamitate agnoscitur.
True friendship is recognized in disaster.
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Rebus in adversis ostenditur omnis amicus.
Every friend is shown in adversity.
French
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Les amis sont rares dans le besoin.
Friends are rare in need.
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On connaît les bonnes sources dans la sécheresse, et les bons amis dans la tristesse.
We know good springs in drought, and good friends in sorrow.
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On connaît le véritable ami dans le besoin.
We know the true friend in need.
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Au besoin voit-on son ami.
If need be, you can see your friend.
German
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Freunde erkennt man in der Not.
Friends are recognized in adversity.
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Freunde in der Not gehen hundert auf ein Lot.
Friends in need go a hundred on a lot.
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Glück macht Freunde, Unglück prüft sie.
Luck makes friends, misfortune tests them.
Czech
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V nouzi poznáš přítele.
You know a friend in need.
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Přítele poznáš ve vojně a v nouzi.
You know your friend in war and in need.
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Oheň zlato, nouze přítele zkouší.
Fire, baby, distress tries a friend.
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Oheň zlato, nouze přítele.
Fire, baby, need a friend.
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Bez nehod přítele nepoznáš.
You don't know a friend without accidents.
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V nouzi a potřebě poznáš přítele.
In times of need and want, you will know a friend.