What is a friend?

I found this among my father's papers and although I'm sure it was not originally penned by him, it must have been meaningful.  I think it's worth sharing. I have a friend like this; hope you do too.  You can have a friend like this by "being" a friend like this.
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What is a friend?  I will tell you.  It is a person with whom you dare to be yourself!  Your soul can go naked with him.  He seems to ask of you to put on nothing, only to be what you are.  He does not want you to be better or worse.  When you are with him you feel as a prisoner feels who has been declared innocent.  You do not have to be on your guard.  You can say what you think so long as it is genuinely you.  He understands those contradictions in your nature that lead others to misjudge you.  With him you breathe freely.  You can avow your little vanities and envies and hates and vicious sparks, your meanness and absurdities and in opening them up to him they are lost, dissolved on the white ocean of his loyalty.  He understands.  You do not have to be careful.  You can abuse him, neglect him, tolerate him.  Best of all, you can keep still with him.  It makes no matter.  He likes you.  He is like fire that purges all you do.  He is like water that cleanses all that you say.  He is like wine that warms you to the bone.  You can weep with him, laugh with him, sin with him, pray with him.  Through and underneath it all, he sees, knows, and loves you.  A friend, I repeat, is one with whom you dare to be yourself!