What do you thin the meaning of a friend in need is a friend indeed saying is?

[Lardlizard]

?

I think of "Pure Morning" by Placebo (they also think a "Friend with weed is better").

From childhood, I always thought it was negative based on seeing someone on tv saying it with some authority to mean;

That someone who needs something (money, attention, involvement in a dispute) will act like your friend to get what they want from you.

It was said in a “oh yeah, a friend in NEED is a friend INDEED” in quite a sarcastic way. That was my first encounter with the phrase.

I’m struggling to see it the other way without extra words!

I.e “Someone who is a friend when you are in need, will show their friendship by their deeds.”

With the phrase as it is, it makes it sound like the friend in need and the friend indeed or in deed are the same person.

My head hurts now.

Love the Placebo references btw

Cleaning playlist for the day sorted

It means a friend who’s there in your time of need (old English phrasing) is a true friend indeed.

I always thought the last bit was In Deed not Indeed. So a friend who’s there when you’re in need is a friend in more than just words, by their actions too.

I once read:

A friend in need is a pest.

A friend with breasts and all the rest
A friend whose dressed in leather

@Ritascornershop

It’s “a friend in need is a friend in deed”, not “indeed”. A friend in need will be there in action when you need their deeds (actions).

Yes this. It's two words "in deed"

In times of need a true friend will be there for you.

A friend who is there for you when you need something is a true friend.

@AndIquote

I prefer the other saying: a friend in need is a pain in the arse

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