The friend of my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.
—Ulysses S. Grant (1822–85) American Civil War General, Head of State
I have always looked at life as a voyage, mostly wonderful, sometimes frightening. In my family and friends I have discovered treasure more valuable than gold.
—Jimmy Buffett (b.1946) American Musician, Author
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were political enemies, but they became fast friends. And when they passed away on the same day, the last words of one of them was, The country is safe. Jefferson still lives. And the last words of the other was, John Adams will see that things go forward.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
If you want to be listened to, you should put in time listening.
—Marge Piercy (b.1936) American Poet, Novelist, Social Activist
Who seeks a faultless friend remains friendless.
—Turkish Proverb
It’s important to our friends to believe that we are unreservedly frank with them, and important to the friendship that we are not.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
That friendship will not continue to the end which is begun for an end.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
It is easy enough to be friendly to one’s friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
You cannot be friends upon any other terms than upon the terms of equality.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and just be my friend.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
Friends come and go, but enemies accumulate.
—Indian Proverb
Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Little friends may prove great friends.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.
—Indira Gandhi (1917–84) Indian Head of State
There is a law that man should love his neighbor as himself. In a few hundred years it should be as natural to mankind as breathing or the upright gait; but if he does not learn it he must perish.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
The only thing to do is to hug one’s friends tight and do one’s job.
—Edith Wharton (1862–1937) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
Friends can be said to “fall in like” with as profound a thud as romantic partners fall in love.
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin (b.1939) American Social Activist, Journalist
The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
He who has not the weakness of friendship has not the strength.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It’s good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind.
—Toni Morrison (1931–2019) American Novelist, Editor, Academic
One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Action, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his true friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the greatest highroad to his reason, and which when once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing his judgment of the justice of your cause, if, indeed, that cause be really a just one. On the contrary, assume to dictate to his judgment, or to command his action, or to make him as one to be shunned or despised, and he will retreat within himself, close all the avenues to his head and heart; and though your cause be naked truth itself, transformed to the heaviest lance, harder than steel and sharper than steel can be made, and though you throw it with more than Herculean force and precision, you shall be no more able to pierce him than to penetrate the hard shell of a tortoise with a rye straw.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Can you understand how cruelly I feel the lack of friends who will believe in me a bit?
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic
Seek those who find your road agreeable, your personality and mind stimulating, your philosophy acceptable, and your experiences helpful. Let those who do not, seek their own kind.
—Henri Fabre (1882–1984) French Aviator
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first … when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) Indian Hindu Mystic, Religious Leader, Philosopher, Teacher
If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
He deserves Paradise who makes his companions laugh.
—The Holy Quran Sacred Scripture of Islam
Unless you bear with the faults of a friend you betray your own.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
I have always differentiated between two types of friends; those who want proofs of friendship, and those who do not. One kind loves me for myself, and the others for themselves.
—Gerard de Nerval (1808–55) French Poet, Essayist, Critic
We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
In the progress of personality, first comes a declaration of independence, then a recognition of interdependence.
—Henry van Dyke Jr. (1852–1933) American Author, Educator, Clergyman
Every one must have felt that a cheerful friend is like a sunny day, which sheds its brightness on all around; and most of us can, as we choose, make of this world either a palace or a prison.
—John Lubbock (1834–1913) English Politician, Biologist
Four be the things I am wiser to know:
Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.
Four be the things I’d been better without:
Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.
Three be the things I shall never attain:
Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.
Three be the things I shall have till I die:
Laughter and hope and a sock in the eye.
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) American Humorist, Journalist
A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your successes.
—Doug Larson (1926–2017) American Columnist
There should be no inferiors and no superiors for true world friendship.
—Carlos P. Romulo (1899–1985) Philippine Diplomat, Politician, Journalist, Author
There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. We cannot force it any more than love.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
And what a delight it is to make friends with someone you have despised.
—Colette (1873–1954) French Novelist, Performer
I am treating you as my friend, asking you to share my present minuses in the hope I can ask you to share my future pluses.
—Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923) New Zealand-born British Author
To throw away an honest friend is, as it were, to throw your life away.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
You can always tell a real friend; when you’ve made a fool of yourself he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.
—Laurence J. Peter (1919–90) Canadian-born American Educator, Author
Men kick friendship around like a football, but it doesn’t seem to crack. Women treat it like glass and it goes to pieces.
—Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906–2001) American Aviator, Author
Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The wise man does not permit himself to set up even in his own mind any comparisons of his friends. His friendship is capable of going to extremes with many people, evoked as it is by many qualities.
—Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist
I lay it down as a fact that if all men knew what others say of them, there would not be four friends in the world.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Politeness is an inexpensive way of making friends.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
We are keenly aware of the faults of our friends, but if they like us enough it doesn’t matter.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Every stage of life has its troubles, and no man is content with his own age.
—Ausonius (c.309–392 CE) Latin Poet, Rhetorician
Friendship increases in visiting friends, but in visiting them seldom.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
All love that has not friendship for its base, is like a mansion built upon the sand.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) American Poet, Journalist
It is well, when one is judging a friend, to remember that he is judging you with the same godlike and superior impartiality.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
To accept a favor from a friend is to confer one.
—John Churton Collins (1848–1908) English Literary Critic
Adversity not only draws people together, but brings forth that beautiful inward friendship.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
True friends stab you in the front.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Don’t believe your friends when they ask you to be honest with them. All they really want is to be maintained in the good opinion they have of themselves.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
We need old friends to help us grow old and new friends to help us stay young.
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin (b.1939) American Social Activist, Journalist
Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of the pleasures; costs nothing and conveys much. It pleases him who gives and him who receives, and thus, like mercy, is twice blessed.
—Erastus Wiman (1834–1904) Canadian Journalist, Businessperson
We are all travelers in the wilderness of the world, and the best that we can find in our travels is an honest friend.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
Friendship requires great communication.
—Francis de Sales (1567–1622) French Catholic Saint
There is an emanation from the heart in genuine hospitality which cannot be described, but is immediately felt and puts the stranger at once at his ease.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
I never enter a new company without the hope that I may discover a friend, perhaps the friend, sitting there with an expectant smile. That hope survives a thousand disappointments.
—A. C. Benson (1862–1925) English Essayist, Poet, Author
The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.
—Shirley MacLaine (b.1934) American Actor, Dancer, Author, Activist
Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
It is easier to visit your friends than to live with them.
—Chinese Proverb
Only solitary men know the full joys of friendship. Others have their family —but to a solitary and an exile his friends are everything.
—Willa Cather (1873–1947) American Novelist, Writer
The more we love our friends, the less we flatter them; it is by excusing nothing that pure love shows itself.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Laugh and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) American Poet, Journalist
‘Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and have her nonsense respected.
—Charles Lamb (1775–1834) British Essayist, Poet
It takes a long time to grow an old friend.
—John Loengard
Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell him.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
Never befriend the oppressed unless you are prepared to take on the oppressor.
—Ogden Nash (1902–71) American Writer of Sophisticated Light Verse
Sooner or later you’ve heard all your best friends have to say. Then comes the tolerance of real love.
—Ned Rorem (b.1923) American Composer, Diarist
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
When a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
He who endures penance and hardships for another delights in that person’s company.
—Malik Muhammad Jayasi (1477–1542) Indian Poet
To cement a new friendship, especially between foreigners or persons of a different social world, a spark with which both were secretly charged must fly from person to person, and cut across the accidents of place and time.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
No one person can possibly combine all the elements supposed to make up what everyone means by friendship.
—Francis Marion Crawford (1854–1909) Italian-born American Novelist, Writer
Who friendship with a knave hath made, is judged a partner in the trade.
—John Gay (1685–1732) English Poet, Dramatist
Friendship
I’ve discovered a way to stay friends forever —
There’s really nothing to it.
I simply tell you what to do
And you do it!
—Shel Silverstein (1930–99) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Short story Author, Playwright, Author, Songwriter
Instead of loving your enemies, treat your friends a little better.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
There is a definite process by which one made people into friends, and it involved talking to them and listening to them for hours at a time.
—Rebecca West (1892–1983) English Author, Journalist, Literary Critic
There is nothing meritorious but virtue and friendship.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives, and remembering what one receives.
—Alexandre Dumas, pere (1802–1870) French Novelist, Playwright
In reality, we are still children. We want to find a playmate for our thoughts and feelings.
—Wilhelm Stekel (1868–1940) Austrian Physician, Psychologist
Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies.
—Gore Vidal (1925–48) American Novelist, Essayist, Journalist, Playwright, Political Activist
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends, who rejoiced with us in our sunshine desert us; when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
I sincerely believe that the word relationships is the key to the prospect of a decent world. It seems abundantly clear that every problem you will have-in your family, in your work, in our nation, or in this world-is essentially a matter of relationships, of interdependence.
—Clarence Francis (1888–1985) American Food Industry Executive
Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes.
—Common Proverb
Friends and acquaintances are the surest passport to fortune.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Friendship is a word the vely sight of which im print makes the heart warm.
—Augustine Birrell (1850–1933) English Politician, Essayist
Friendships are fragile things and require as much care in handling as any other fragile and precious thing.
—Randolph Bourne (1886–1918) American Writer, Scholar
Love is like the wild-rose briar;
Friendship is like the holly-tree.
The holly is dark when the rose briar blooms,
But which will bloom most constantly?
—Emily Bronte (1818–48) English Novelist, Poet
A man with few friends is only half-developed; there are whole sides of his nature which are locked up and have never been expressed. He cannot unlock them himself, he cannot even discover them; friends alone can stimulate him and open him.
—Randolph Bourne (1886–1918) American Writer, Scholar
Only friends will tell you the truths you need to hear to make … your life bearable.
—Francine du Plessix Gray (1930–2019) French-born American Writer, Literary Critic
But please remember, especially in these times of group-think and the right-on chorus, that no person is your friend (or kin) who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow and be perceived as fully blossomed as you were intended.
—Alice Walker (b.1944) American Novelist, Activist
The tender friendships one gives up, on parting, leave their bite on the heart, but also a curious feeling of a treasure somewhere buried.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
A friend that you have to buy won’t be worth what you pay for him, no matter what that may be.
—George D. Prentice (1802–70) American Journalist, Editor
False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports.
—Richard Burton (1925–84) Welsh Actor
The influence of each human being on others in this life is a kind of immortality.
—John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the USA
It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A friend is a present you give to yourself.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
—Common Proverb
An average man is too concerned with liking people or with being liked himself. A warrior likes, that’s all. He likes whatever or whomever he wants, for the hell of it.
—Carlos Castaneda (1925–98) Peruvian-born American Anthropologist, Author
Friendship is a pretty full-time occupation if you really are friendly with somebody. You can’t have too many friends because then you’re just not really friends.
—Truman Capote (1924–84) American Novelist
If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother and hope your guardian genius.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
The best things in life are never rationed. Friendship, loyalty, love, do not require coupons.
—Captain George T. Hewitt
Don’t tell your friends their social faults; they will cure the fault and never forgive you.
—Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946) American-British Essayist, Bibliophile
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.
—Charles William Eliot (1834–1926) American Educator, Academic
The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of a dearer stuff than the one who stays away.
—Barbara Kingsolver (b.1955) American Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there,
You’ve got a friend.
—Carole King (b.1942) American Singer, Songwriter, Musician
I am quite sure that no friendship yields its true pleasure and nobility of nature without frequent communication, sympathy and service.
—George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930) American Literary Critic, Poet
I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all the things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship.
—Pietro Aretino (1492–1556) Italian Author, Playwright, Poet, Satirist
A good friend is my nearest relation.
—Common Proverb
He that hath no friend, and no enemy, is one of the vulgar; and without talents, powers, or energy.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
The best mirror is an old friend.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence, is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of this weary pilgrimage.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Of my friends, I am the only one I have left.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
A trouble shared is a trouble halved.
—Common Proverb
I am learning to live close to the lives of my friends without ever seeing them. No miles of any measurement can separate your soul from mine.
—John Muir (1838–1914) Scottish-born American Naturalist
We need two kinds of acquaintances, one to complain to, while to the others we boast.
—Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946) American-British Essayist, Bibliophile
If you’re going to sin, sin against God, not the bureaucracy; God will forgive you but the bureaucracy won t.
—Hyman G. Rickover (1900–86) American Military Leader
A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship, as … the callosity formed round a broken bone makes it stronger than before.
—Francis de Sales (1567–1622) French Catholic Saint
It’s the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.
—Marlene Dietrich (1901–92) German-born American Actor, Singer
The secret of success in society is a certain heartiness and sympathy. A man who is not happy in company, cannot find any word in his memory that will fit the occasion; all his information is a little impertinent. A man who is happy there, finds in every turn of the conversation occasions for the introduction of what he has to say. The favorites of society are able men, and of more spirit than wit, who have no uncomfortable egotism, but who exactly fill the hour and the company, contented and contenting.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
True wealth can not be found in your bank account.
It can only be found in those you call friends.
Those with whom you share your deepest feelings.
And those who accept you for who you really are.
—Unknown
Shared joys make a friend, not shared sufferings.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
No man is much pleased with a companion, who does not increase, in some respect, his fondness for himself.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends.
—Cosimo de’ Medici (1389–1464) Florentine Statesman, Banker
Friends make pretence of following to the grave but before one is in it, their minds are turned and making the best of their way back to life and living people and things they understand.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
Your friend is who man who knows all about you, and still likes you.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Friendship is nothing else than an accord in all things, human and divine, conjoined with mutual good-will and affection.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
What I cannot love, I overlook.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
Love without friendship is like a shadow without the sun.
—Japanese Proverb
Every man rejoices twice when he has a partner in his joy. He who shares tears with us wipes them away. He divides them in two, and he who laughs with us makes the joy double.
—Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979) American Catholic Religious Leader, Theologian
Every organism requires an environment of friends, partly to shield it from violent changes, and partly to supply it with its wants.
—Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947) English Mathematician, Philosopher
The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Friendship lasts but for a day, business connections forever.
—Babylonian Proverb
Don’t abuse your friends and expect them to consider it criticism.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
There is a point where you aren’t as much mom and daughter as you are adults and friends. It doesn’t happen for everyone–but it did for Mom and me.
—Jamie Lee Curtis (b.1958) American Film Actress, Children’s Books Writer
Good friendships are fragile things and require as much care as any other fragile and precious thing.
—Randolph Bourne (1886–1918) American Writer, Scholar
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.
—Henri Nouwen (1932–96) Dutch Catholic Theologian, Writer
I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.
—Chuck Swindoll (b.1934) American Evangelical Christian Pastor, Author
A friend is a person who knows all about you-and still likes you.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
One doesn’t know, till one is a bit at odds with the world, how much one’s friends who believe in one rather generously, mean to one.
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic
Friendships, like marriages, are dependent on avoiding the unforgivable.
—John D. MacDonald (1916–86) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
God may forgive your sins, but your nervous system won’t.
—Alfred Korzybski (1879–1950) Polish-American Scientist, Philosopher of Language
Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.
—Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
One must be fond of people and trust them if one is not to make a mess of life.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
The worst solitude is to have no real friendships.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Old friends, we say, are best, when some sudden disillusionment shakes our faith in a new comrade.
—Gelett Burgess (1866–1951) American Humorist, Art Critic
Between friends, differences in taste or opinion are irritating in direct proportion to their triviality.
—W. H. Auden (1907–73) British-born American Poet, Dramatist
Do not remove a fly from your friend’s forehead with a hatchet.
—Chinese Proverb
It pays to know who your friends are but it also pays to know you ain’t got any friends.
—Bob Dylan (b.1941) American Singer-songwriter
Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.
—Samuel Butler
Friends should be like books, easy to find when you need them, but seldom used.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A good friend can tell you what is the matter with you in a minute. He may not seem such a good friend after telling.
—Arthur Brisbane (1864–1936) American Journalist, Editor
If we listened to our intellect we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go in business because we’d be cynical: It’s gonna go wrong. Or She’s going to hurt me. Or, I’ve had a couple of bad love affairs, so therefore … Well, that’s nonsense. You’re going to miss life. You’ve got to jump off the cliff all the time and build your wings on the way down.
—Ray Bradbury (b.1920) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
The most called-upon prerequisite of a friend is an accessible ear.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American Poet
O summer friendship, whose flattering leaves, shadowed us in our prosperity, With the least gust, drop off in the autumn of adversity.
—Philip Massinger (1583–1640) English Playwright
Love demands infinitely less than friendship.
—George Jean Nathan (1882–1958) American Drama Critic, Editor
Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty.
—Sicilian Proverb
A good rule for going through life is to keep the heart a little softer than the head.
—Anonymous
One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are.
—Gail Godwin (b.1937) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Don’t ask of your friends what you yourself can do.
—Ennius (c.239–169 BCE) Roman Poet
You find yourself refreshed in the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an honest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Writer
An acquaintance that begins with a compliment is sure to develop into a real friendship.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
Though friendship is not quick to burn,
It is explosive stuff.
—May Sarton (1912–95) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Novelist
Prosperity is not just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Never have a friend that’s poorer than yourself.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
To know when to go away and when to come closer is the key to any lasting relationship.
—Domenico Cieri (b.1954) Mexican Author, Aphorist
A sense of duty is useful in work, but offensive in personal relations. People wish to be liked, not endured with patient resignation.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
The friend within the man is that part of him which belongs to you and opens to you a door which never, perhaps, is opened to another. Such a friend is true, and all he says is true; and he loves you even if he hates you in other mansions of his heart.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
Probably no man ever had a friend he did not dislike a little; we are all so constituted by nature that no one can possibly entirely approve of us.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.
—Rachel Carson (1907–64) American Naturalist, Science Writer
Let us never adopt the maxim, Rather lose our friend than our jest.
—Quintilian (c.35–c.100 CE) Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, nd we are never ever the same.
—Flavia Weedn
Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Love me, please; I love you; I can bear to be your friend. So ask of me anything … I am not a tentative person. Whatever I do I give up my whole self to it.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) American Poet, Playwright, Feminist
Love your friends as if they would some day hate you.
—Bias of Priene (fl. 6th century BCE) Greek Orator
You can make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
Never forget me, because if I thought you would, I’d never leave.
—A. A. Milne (1882–1956) British Humorist, Playwright, Children’s Writer
Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The real friend is he or she who can share all our sorrow and double our joys.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Acquaintance I would have, but when’t depends not on the number, but the choice of friends.
—Abraham Cowley (1618–67) English Poet, Essayist
Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship.
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) American Humorist, Journalist
Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them.
—Francesco Guicciardini (1483–1540) Italian Historian, Political leader
Friendships aren’t perfect and yet they are very precious. For me, not expecting perfection all in one place was a great release.
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin (b.1939) American Social Activist, Journalist
Yes we are (friends) and I do like to pass the day with you in serious and inconsequential chatter. I wouldn’t mind washing up beside you, dusting beside you, reading the back half of the paper while you read the front. We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you and think of you very often. I don’t want to lose this happy space where I have found someone who is smart and easy and doesn’t bother to check her diary when we arrange to meet.
—Jeanette Winterson (b.1959) English Novelist, Journalist
Friendship, of itself a holy tie, is made more sacred by adversity.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
The lion is ashamed, it’s true, when he hunts with the fox.
—Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–81) German Writer, Philosopher
Life is the continuous adjustment of internal relations to external relations.
—Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) English Polymath, Philosopher, Sociologist, Political Theorist
We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.
—James Boswell (1740–95) Scottish Biographer, Diarist
We cherish our friends not for their ability to amuse us, but for our ability to amuse them.
—Evelyn Waugh (1903–66) British Novelist, Essayist, Biographer
Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.
—Thomas Aquinas (1225–74) Italian Catholic Priest, Philosopher, Theologian
The lintel low enough to keep out pomp and pride; the threshold high enough to turn deceit aside; the door-band strong enough from robbers to defend: this door will open at a touch to welcome every friend.
—Henry van Dyke Jr. (1852–1933) American Author, Educator, Clergyman