Fire tests gold. Hard times test a friend.

What it means

You only learn what a friendship is worth when things go wrong. Good times prove nothing. Be the friend who comes through the fire.

The source

"Fire tests gold. Hard times test a friend." This Czech proverb is recorded in Čelakovský, Mudrosloví národu slovanského (1852), p. 231. Translated from the original Czech by Spartan Surfers.

"Oheň zlato, nouze přítele (zkouší)."

Original Czech, Čelakovský, Mudrosloví národu slovanského (1852), p. 231. Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Fire tests gold. Hard times test a friend." mean?

You only learn what a friendship is worth when things go wrong. Good times prove nothing. Be the friend who comes through the fire.

Who said "Fire tests gold. Hard times test a friend."?

Czech proverb. Source: Čelakovský, Mudrosloví národu slovanského (1852), p. 231.

What is the original Czech?

Oheň zlato, nouze přítele (zkouší). Translated from the original Czech by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Fire tests gold. Hard times test a friend." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Fire tests gold. Hard times test a friend." (Czech proverb, Čelakovský, Mudrosloví národu slovanského (1852), p. 231, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/fire-tests-gold-hard-times-test-a-friend