æt þearfe man sceal freonda cunnian

Old English

Etymology

First attested in the Durham Proverbs. Literally "in need you have to test your friends."

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æt ˈθæ͜ɑr.fe mɑn ʃæ͜ɑl ˈfre͜oːn.dɑ ˈkun.ni.ɑn/, [æt ˈθæ͜ɑrˠ.ve mɑn ʃæ͜ɑl ˈfre͜oːn.dɑ ˈkun.ni.ɑn]

Proverb

æt þearfe man sċeal frēonda cunnian

1. a friend in need is a friend indeed