Take no man for friendship’s sake; but, all things being equal, take the man you know, take your friend, in preference to the stranger.
 Mark Twain, Following the Equator (1897). copy citation

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Author Mark Twain
Source Following the Equator
Topic friendship strangers
Date 1897
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2895/2895-h/2895-h.htm

Context

““Yes. Your salary will be high—of course-for you are representing me. Later you will earn increases of it, and will get them. You will need a small army of assistants; choose them yourself—and carefully. Take no man for friendship’s sake; but, all things being equal, take the man you know, take your friend, in preference to the stranger.” After some further talk under this head, the Commodore said: “Good-bye, my boy, and thank Alf for me, for sending you to me.” When Ed reached Memphis he rushed down to the wharf in a fever to tell his great news and thank the boys over and over again for thinking to give him the letter to Mr.” source