Where there are friends, there is wealth, or, in the usual acceptation of the proverb, it is better to have friends without money, than money without friends. "Aquelles son ricos que tienen amigos," they are rich who have friends. To be possessed of friends, is doubtless valuable, as they may stand us in stead in our troubles; but in the ordinary occurrences of life, money may be depended on with more certainty, as it will purchase us both conveniences and friends. "Las necedades del rico, por sentencias passan en el mundo," even the foolish sayings of the rich, pass in the world as oracles. We may therefore more truly say, "Ubi opes, ibi amici," he that has wealth has friends; "Vulgus amicitias utilitate probat," for friends are commonly esteemed only in proportion to the advantages they are able to procure us. "Hood an ass with reverend purple, So you can hide his two ambitious ears, And he shall pass for a cathedral doctor." (Volpone)