10 Russian idioms about friendship

Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. 

That’s how Wikipedia describes idiom. How many idioms in Russian? Thousands of thousands.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

We use them every day when we talk with friends or relatives, when we watch TV or read a book, when we listen to a song or send SMS, even when we gaze at commercial in a magazine. It’s easy to understand people if they speak in Russian and use Russian idioms. But it’s not so easy to remember and understand idioms in all languages, because they are illogical sometimes.

There is a list with 10 Russian idioms about friendship. Of course, they are in Russian. I have tried to explain them in English or to find a good equivalent, though. I put them in alphabetical order.
 

Idiom in Russian	Literal translation	Equivalent
Два сапога – пара.	Two boots make a pair.	They make a pair.
Друг дороже денег.	A friend is more than money.	A friend in court is better a penny in purse.
Друг познаётся в беде.	A friend in need is a friend indeed.	A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Дружба дружбой, а табачок врозь.	We might be very good friends, but our tobacco is different brands.	-
Не в службу, а в дружбу.	Out of friendship, as a favour.	-
Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей.	Don't have one hundred roubles but one hundred friends.	A friend in court is better a penny in purse.
Нет друга – ищи, а нашёл – береги.	If you have no friend, look for one, and when you succeed, do not to lose them.	-
Один в поле не воин.	One soldier in the field is not a warrior.	No man is an island.
Скажи мне, кто твой друг, и я скажу, кто ты.	Tell me who your friend is and I will tell you who you are.	Tell me who your friend is and I will tell you who you are.
Старый друг лучше новых двух.	One old friend is better than two new friends.	-

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