My past experiences also made me a better judge of people—having had the opportunity to observe human nature under extreme circumstances is an asset hard to match in this respect. They definitely influenced my system of values.
...When it comes to evaluating people, I try to put their accomplishments in perspective: What obstacles did they have to overcome? In choosing my friends, I put a high price on character, independence of mind, and courage. As the popular saying has it, "A friend in need is a friend indeed," and I sometimes try to imagine how this or that person might behave if I came under attack for some reason.