Translation of Menander fr. 642 (K.-T.)

It is a common place that words are a balm for the soul. Here the concept is united with the therapeutic effect of having a good friend at one's side:

τῷ μὲν τὸ σῶμα <γὰρ> διακειμένῳ κακῶς

χρεία ’στ’ ἰατροῦ, τῷ δὲ τὴν ψυχὴν φίλου·

λύπην γὰρ εὔνους οἶδε θεραπεύειν λόγος.

If your body is in a bad way, you need a doctor.

But if your soul is, you need a friend.

A kind word is able to heal spiritual pain.