A friend in need is a friend indeed

This week is the 1st week of Uni. All of the sudden, almost every society in UNSW came out lurking from the dark trying to set up a stall on the busiest street of uni, the Uni Main Walk. Their goal is probably to get new members and their money. In return, those society will try their best to provide 'group experience' to those who would join in.
According to a friend of mine, Yu Ang, societies are mainly for those who are new to the uni, those who haven't found a group of friends to hang around with yet. And these societies are meant for them where they get a chance to socialise around and hopefully to find a group where they can belong in.

Well, I was summoned to help a friend to set up a stall in the university yesterday morning.
The society I was helping out was UNIBUD (Univeristy Buddhist Society). While helping out with the setting of the stall, Yu Ang mentioned a quote:

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Friends.... Are friends really that important?? Are they the essence of our lives??
I wonder what kind life would someone lead if they have the philoshophy of "I want to know how long I can survive without a friend"
Back to the quote: "A friend in need is a friend indeed"
Could it mean that:
1) A friend who helps out when we are in trouble is a true friend—unlike others who disappear when trouble arises.
or
2) someone who needs your help becomes friendly in order to obtain it.

Gee man..... A quote with double meanings. I don't like this at all. It's misleading.
Wait a minute... On 2nd thought, I'm starting to like this quote. Sounds deceiving. Indeed, quotes with misleading messages are interesting. Muahaha...