There are various interpretations of the meaning of ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’.

Firstly, is it ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’ or ‘a friend in need is a friend in deed’?

Secondly, is it ‘a friend (when you are) in need’ or ‘a friend (who is) in need’? If the former, then the phrase means: ‘someone who helps you when you are in need is a true friend’. If the latter, it is ‘someone who needs your help becomes especially friendly in order to obtain it’.

So, that gives us four options:

1. A friend, (when you are) in need, is indeed a true friend. (‘indeed’)
2. A friend, (when you are) in need, is someone who is prepared to act to show it (‘in deed’)
3. A friend, (who is) in need, is indeed a true friend. (‘indeed’)
4. A friend, (who is) in need, is someone who is prepared to act to show it (‘in deed’)

The original meaning can be resolved to some degree by the documentary evidence – see below. Nevertheless, although most people have no doubt that No.1 is correct. There is no unambiguous right or wrong here and this is a phrase the meaning of which we probably infer from the context in which we first hear it.

Whichever of the above options we initially opt for will cement our understanding of the phrase, probably forever.