vyasanaiḥ kliśyamānaṁ hi yo mitraṁ nābhipadyate
vyasanaiḥ kliśyamānaṁ hi yo mitraṁ nābhipadyate |
anunīya yathāśakti taṁ nṛśaṁsaṁ vidur budhāḥ ||
(Mahābhārata: Udyoga-parva, 91.10)
“If a friend is in trouble, it is one’s duty to say a few consoling words and help him as much as possible. One who does not do that is considered cruel by wise men.”