Friendship that flows from the heart cannot be frozen by adversity, as the water that flows from the spring cannot congeal in winter.
—James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851) American Novelist
A ray of sunshine, a balmy breeze Are a gift from God above, And He also gives us faithful friends. To warm our hearts with love.
—Indian Proverb
Don’t abuse your friends and expect them to consider it criticism.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Prosperity is not just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Forsake not an old friend, for the new is not comparable to him; a new friend is as new wine.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Friendship is a living thing that lasts only as long as it is nourished with kindness, empathy and understanding.
—Indian Proverb
Keep good men company, and you shall be of their number.
—Unknown
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
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference.
—Audre Lorde (1934–92) American Poet, Activist
Your wealth is where your friends are.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
Do not allow yourself to be imprisoned by any affection. Keep your solitude. The day, if it ever comes, when you are given true affection there will be no opposition between interior solitude and friendship, quite the reverse. It is even by this infallible sign that you will recognize it.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
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
The gift of friendship… a willingness to listen… a pair of helping hands… a whisper from the heart. That someone cares and understands.
—Indian Proverb
It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us, as the confidence of their help.
—Epicurus (c.341–270 BCE) Greek Philosopher
Let us never adopt the maxim, Rather lose our friend than our jest.
—Quintilian (c.35–c.100 CE) Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
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
Nothing hurts more than the friendly letter that one never got around to writing.
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
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
Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.
—Rod McKuen (1933–2015) American Poet, Singer-songwriter, Actor
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
The friendship of a great man is like the shadow of a bush—soon gone.
—French Proverb
Friends are kisses blown to us by angels.
—Unknown
Ceremony is the smoke of friendship.
—Chinese Proverb
Sweet is the scene where genial friendship plays the pleasing game of interchanging praise.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The most violent friendships soonest wear themselves out.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
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
It is good to have friends, even in hell.
—Spanish Proverb
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