more a friend/ more of a friend

[joham]

The man was more brother than teacher, more friend than superior.

I read this sentence from Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA). Is it ok without an article before the four nouns in blue? And is there any difference between the following sentences:

He's more a friend than a teacher.
He's more of a friend than of a teacher.

Thank you in advance.

[2006]

The man was more brother than teacher, more friend than superior.

I read this sentence from Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA). Is it ok without an article before the four nouns in blue? Yes, it is.

And is there any difference between the following sentences: not in meaning

He's more a friend than a teacher. I would only say this one.
He's more of a friend than of a teacher. You don't need the "of"s, and I especially would not use the second "of".

Thank you in advance.

2006