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Friendship


Friendship

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Quotations

Benjamin FranklinA false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines.

—  Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, American politician & writer

26 likes
Charles DarwinA man’s friendships are one of the best measures of his worth.

—  Charles Darwin, 1809-1882, British scientist

21 likes
Oscar WildeTrue friends stab you in the front.

—  Oscar Wilde, 1854-1900, Irish writer

19 likes
Blaise PascalI 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, 1623-1662, French thinker

13 likes
Jean de La BruyèreTime, which strengthens friendship, weakens love.

—  Jean de La Bruyère, 1645-1696, French writer

12 likes
Niccolò MachiavelliKeep your friends close and your enemies closer.

—  Niccolò Machiavelli, 1469-1527, Italian political philosopher

     (this version was used in “Godfather;” the original starts with “The Prince”.)

12 likes
Friedrich NietzscheLove is blind. Friendship closes its eyes.

—  Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900, German philosopher

11 likes
Bob MarleyTrue friends are like stars; you can only recognize them when it's dark around you.

—  Bob Marley, 1945-1981, Jamaican singer

9 likes
AristotleMisfortune shows those who are not really friends.

—  Aristotle, 384-322 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

8 likes
Somerset MaughamIt's no good trying to keep up old friendships. It's painful for both sides. The fact is, one grows out of people, and the only thing is to face it.

—  Somerset Maugham, 1874-1965, British writer

7 likes
Ralph Waldo EmersonThe only way to have a friend is to be one.

—  Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1884, American philosopher

7 likes
Jules RenardThere are no friends; only moments of friendship.

—  Jules Renard, 1864-1910, French writer

7 likes
Dr. Thomas FullerHe is my friend who speaks well of me behind my back.

—  Dr. Thomas Fuller, 1654-1734,  English physician and adage collector

6 likes
Jean de La BruyèreAnyone who has experienced a great love, does not care about friendship.

—  Jean de La Bruyère, 1645-1696, French writer

6 likes
HoraceTo have a great man for an intimate friend seems pleasant to those who have never tried it; those who have, fear it.

—  Horace, 65-8 BC, Roman poet

6 likes
Niccolò MachiavelliFriendships that are won by awards, and not by greatness and nobility of soul, although deserved, yet are not real, and cannot be depended upon in time of adversity.

—  Niccolò Machiavelli, 1469-1527, Italian political philosopher

6 likes
EpicurusOf all the means which wisdom acquires to ensure happiness throughout the whole of life, by far the most important is friendship.

—  Epicurus, 341-270 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

6 likes
Henry FordMy best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.

—  Henry Ford, 1863-1947, American industrialist, founder of FORD

6 likes
Marlen DietrichIt's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.

—  Marlen Dietrich, 1901-1992, German-American actress

5 likes
Oscar WildeLaughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is by far the best ending for one.

—  Oscar Wilde, 1854-1900, Irish writer

5 likes
CiceroFriendship makes prosperity more shining and lessens adversity by dividing and sharing it.

—  Cicero, 106-43 BC, Roman orator & statesman

5 likes
Lord ChesterfieldMost people enjoy the inferiority of their best friends.

—  Lord Chesterfield, 1694-1773, English statesman & writer

5 likes
Elbert HubbardYour friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.

—  Elbert Hubbard, 1856-1915, American writer

5 likes
SophoclesWhat greater wound is there than a false friend?

—  Sophocles, 496-406 BC, Ancient tragic poet

5 likes
Georges FeydeauThere is this friend of mine whose name I don’t know, and I ’ve known him for too long to ask him.

—  Georges Feydeau, 1862-1921, French playwright

4 likes
OvidSo long as you are secure you will count many friends; if your life becomes clouded you will be alone.

—  Ovid, 43 BC-17 AD, Roman poet

4 likes
Benjamin FranklinA friend in need is a friend indeed!

—  Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, American politician & writer

4 likes
Publilius SyrusProsperity makes friends, adversity tries them.

—  Publilius Syrus, 1st cent. AD, Roman author of maxims

4 likes
Ashleigh BrilliantThe difference between friendship and love is how much you can hurt each other.

—  Ashleigh Brilliant, 1933-, British cartoonist & epigrammatist

4 likes
Publilius SyrusTreat your friend as if he might become an enemy.

—  Publilius Syrus, 1st cent. AD, Roman author of maxims

4 likes
Dr. Thomas FullerA Friend to all, is a Friend to none.

—  Dr. Thomas Fuller, 1654-1734,  English physician and adage collector

4 likes
Lord ByronFriendship is Love without wings.

—  Lord Byron, 1788-1824, British poet

3 likes
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeLove is flower like; Friendship is like a sheltering tree.

—  Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1772-1834, English poet & philosopher

3 likes
Charles Caleb ColtonFriendship often ends in love; but love in friendship, never.

—  Charles Caleb Colton, 1780-1832, English cleric & writer

3 likes
William BlakeThe bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.

—  William Blake, 1757-1827, English poet & painter

3 likes
Joseph RouxHave friends, not for the sake of receiving, but of giving.

—  Joseph Roux, 1834-1905, French clergyman & poet

3 likes
Mark TwainIt's easy to make friends, but hard to get rid of them.

—  Mark Twain, 1835-1910, American writer

3 likes
Somerset MaughamWe know our friends by their defects rather than by their merits.

—  Somerset Maugham, 1874-1965, British writer

3 likes
Ralph Waldo EmersonThe ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.

—  Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1884, American philosopher

3 likes
Charles Caleb ColtonThe firmest friendships have been formed in mutual adversity, as iron is most strongly united by the fiercest flame.

—  Charles Caleb Colton, 1780-1832, English cleric & writer

3 likes
Charles Caleb ColtonTrue friendship is like sound health: the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.

—  Charles Caleb Colton, 1780-1832, English cleric & writer

3 likes
Dr. Thomas FullerThere is a scarcity of friendship, but not of friends.

—  Dr. Thomas Fuller, 1654-1734,  English physician and adage collector

3 likes
Lord ByronFriendship may, and often does, grow into love, but love never subsides into friendship.

—  Lord Byron, 1788-1824, British poet

2 likes
Charles Caleb ColtonIt is always safe to learn, even from our enemies, seldom safe to venture to instruct, even our friends.

—  Charles Caleb Colton, 1780-1832, English cleric & writer

2 likes
Charles de GaulleMen can have friends, statesmen cannot.

—  Charles de Gaulle, 1890-1970, French President

2 likes
Khalil GibranFriendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.

—  Khalil Gibran, 1883-1931, Lebanese-American poet & philosopher

2 likes
William JamesWherever you are, it is your friends who make your world.

—  William James, 1842-1910, American philosopher

2 likes
Zig ZiglarIf you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.

—  Zig Ziglar, 1926-2012, American self-help writer

2 likes
Alfred TennysonHe that wrongs his friend, wrongs himself more.

—  Alfred Tennyson, 1809-1892, English poet

2 likes
Doug LarsonA true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success.

—  Doug Larson, 1926-2017, American columnist

2 likes
Louis ScutenaireIt is not wise to be loyal to a friend who is not loyal to himself.

—  Louis Scutenaire, 1905-1987, Belgian surrealist & anarchist

2 likes
Duc de LevisIt is easy enough to find a mistress, and easy to keep a friend; what is difficult is to find a friend and keep a mistress.

—  Duc de Levis, 1764-1830, French politician & author of maxims

2 likes
Baltasar GracianFriendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil.

—  Baltasar Gracian, 1601-1658, Spanish writer

Helen KellerWalking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

—  Helen Keller, 1880-1968, American writer

George EliotAnimals are such agreeable friends ―they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

—  George Eliot, 1819-1880, English writer

Ambrose BierceFriendless, adj. Having no favors to bestow. Destitute of fortune. Addicted to utterance of truth and common sense.

—  Ambrose Bierce, 1842–1914, American writer

Kin HubbardA friend that ain't in need is a friend indeed.

—  Kin Hubbard, 1868-1930, American cartoonist

Antoine RivarolFamiliarity is the root of the closest friendships, as well as the deepest hatreds.

—  Antoine Rivarol, 1753-1801, French author of maxims

Joseph JoubertFriendship is a plant that must resist droughts.

—  Joseph Joubert, 1754-1824, French author of maxims

Antoine RivarolIn every friend, there is half of a traitor.

—  Antoine Rivarol, 1753-1801, French author of maxims

Marie von Ebner-EschenbachThere are very few honest friends—the demand is not particularly great.

—  Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 1830-1916, German author of maxims

Oliver W. Holmes Sr.There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no greeting like his welcome, no homage like his praise.

—  Oliver W. Holmes Sr., 1809-1894, American writer

Honoré de BalzacThe police and the Jesuits have the virtue of never abandoning their enemies or their friends.

—  Honoré de Balzac, 1799-1850, French writer

Honoré de BalzacNothing so fortifies a friendship as a belief on the part of one friend that he is superior to the other.

—  Honoré de Balzac, 1799-1850, French writer

Jean de La BruyèreTwo persons cannot long be friends if they cannot forgive each other's little failings.

—  Jean de La Bruyère, 1645-1696, French writer

William Hazlitt We often choose a friend as we do a mistress –for no particular excellence in themselves, but merely from some circumstance that flatters our self-love.

—  William Hazlitt , 1778-1830, English essayist & critic

William Hazlitt True friendship is self-love at second-hand.

—  William Hazlitt , 1778-1830, English essayist & critic

William Hazlitt He will never have true friends who is afraid of making enemies.

—  William Hazlitt , 1778-1830, English essayist & critic

Robert Louis StevensonNo man is useless while he has a friend.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894, Scottish writer

Robert Louis StevensonA friend is a gift you give yourself.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894, Scottish writer

Robert Louis StevensonWe are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894, Scottish writer

Henry de MontherlantSome take for friendship what is charity

—  Henry de Montherlant, 1895-1972, French writer

Erica JongFriends love misery... our misery is what endears us to our friends.

—  Erica Jong, 1942-, American writer

Erica JongSometimes it was worth all the disadvantages of marriage just to have that: one friend in an indifferent world.

—  Erica Jong, 1942-, American writer

PlutarchI don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.

—  Plutarch, 47-120 AD, Ancient Greek historian

Maurice ChapelanThe only friend is the one we could be with like a woman.

—  Maurice Chapelan, 1906-1992, French author of maxims & journalist

Dale CarnegieMake a man laugh a good hearty laugh, and you've paved the way for friendship. When a man laughs with you, he, to some extent, likes you.

—  Dale Carnegie, 1888-1955, American self-help writer

Dale CarnegieYou can make more friends in two months by becoming 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 writer

George HerbertThe best mirror is an old friend.

—  George Herbert, 1593-1633, Welsh poet

Nicolas ChamfortI ended my friendship with two people. With one because he never told me about himself. And with the other, because he never spoke to me about myself.

—  Nicolas Chamfort, 1740-1794, French writer

Francis Scott FitzgeraldIt is in the thirties that we want friends. In the forties we know they won't save us any more than love did.

—  Francis Scott Fitzgerald, 1896-1940, American writer

Orson WellesWe’re born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone.

—  Orson Welles, 1915-1985, American actor & film director

John SteinbeckIf you want to keep a friend, never test him.

—  John Steinbeck, 1902-1968, American writer, Nobel 1962

Charles BukowskiIf you want to know who your friends are, get yourself a jail sentence.

—  Charles Bukowski, 1920-1994, American writer

Quotes in Verse

Emily DickinsonMy friends are my estate. Forgive me then the avarice to hoard them!

—  Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886, American poet

Funny Quotes

Steven WrightIf Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

—  Steven Wright, 1955-, American comedian

4 likes
Ashleigh BrilliantA good friend is worth pursuing
but why would a good friend be running away?

—  Ashleigh Brilliant, 1933-, British cartoonist & epigrammatist

Ancient Greek

AristotleFriendship is one soul living in two bodies.

Φιλία εστί μία ψυχή εν δυσί σώμασιν ενοικουμένη.

—  Aristotle, 384-322 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

26 likes
AntiphanesPlato is my friend but the truth is my best friend.

Φίλος μεν Πλάτων, φιλτάτη δε αλήθεια.

—  Antiphanes, 405-335 BC, Ancient comic poet

15 likes
Chilon of SpartaDon’t rush when attending friends’ dinners, but hasten to their misfortunes.

Επί δείπνα των φίλων βραδέως πορεύου, επί δε τας ατυχίας ταχέως.

—  Chilon of Sparta, 6th cent. BC, one of the 7 sages of Ancient Greece

11 likes
MenanderTime tests friends, like fire tests gold.

Κρίνει φίλους ο καιρός, ως χρυσόν το πυρ.

—  Menander, 4th cent. BC, Ancient Greek dramatist (New Comedy)

7 likes
Ancient Greek proverbA friend does not abandon his friend in difficulties and in danger.

Ο φίλος τον φίλον εν πόνοις και κινδύνοις ου λείπει.

—  Ancient Greek proverb

6 likes
DemocritusAccord of mind creates friendship.

Ομοφροσύνη φιλίην ποιεί.

—  Democritus, 470-370 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

6 likes
AesopA friend and a horse are tested in a difficult situation.

Φίλος και ίππος εν ανάγκη δοκιμάζονται.

—  Aesop, 620-560 BC, Ancient Greek fabulist

6 likes
DemocritusMany who seem to be friends are not, whilst some, who do not seem so, are.

Πολλοί δοκέοντες είναι φίλοι ουκ εισί, και ου δοκέοντες εισίν.

—  Democritus, 470-370 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

5 likes
DiogenesOther dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them.

Οι μεν άλλοι κύνες τους εχθρούς δάκνουσι, εγώ δε τους φίλους ίνα σώσω.

—  Diogenes, 410-323 BC, Ancient Greek Cynic philosopher

5 likes
MenanderIf we have money, we shall have friends.

Εάν δ’ έχωμεν χρήμαθ’, έξομεν φίλους

—  Menander, 4th cent. BC, Ancient Greek dramatist (New Comedy)

4 likes
EuripidesBecause they were friends in word, not in deed.

Λόγω γαρ ήσαν ουκ έργω φίλοι.

—  Euripides, 480-406 BC, Ancient Greek tragedian ‐ Alcestis

4 likes
EuripidesA poor man is abandoned by all his friends.

Πένητα φεύγει πας τις εκποδών φίλος.

—  Euripides, 480-406 BC, Ancient Greek tragedian ‐ Medea

4 likes
IsokratesDo not become a friend with anybody, before you check how he treats his old friends.

Μηδένα φίλον ποιού, πριν αν εξετάσης πώς κέχρηται τοις προτέροις φίλοις.

—  Isokrates, 436-338 BC, Ancient Greek rhetorician

4 likes
DemocritusNo one deserves to live who has not at least one good-man-and-true for a friend.

Ζην ουκ άξιος, ότω μηδείς εστι χρηστός φίλος.

—  Democritus, 470-370 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

3 likes
IsokratesBecome a friend slowly, and when you become, try to stay a friend.

Βραδέως μεν φίλος γίγνου, γενόμενος δε, πειρώ διαμένειν.

—  Isokrates, 436-338 BC, Ancient Greek rhetorician

3 likes
Ancient Greek proverbA friend knows his friend in danger.

Ο φίλος τον φίλον εν κινδύνοις γιγνώσκει.

—  Ancient Greek proverb

3 likes
DemocritusIt is easy to find a friend in prosperity, but when you are unhappy nothing is harder.

Εν ευτυχίη φίλον ευρείν εύπορον, εν δε δυστυχίη πάντων απορώτατον.

—  Democritus, 470-370 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

2 likes
EuripidesWhen your god provides well, who needs friends?

Όταν δ’ ο δαίμων ευ διδώ, τι δει φίλων;

—  Euripides, 480-406 BC, Ancient Greek tragedian ‐ Orestes

2 likes

Proverbs

International proverbA man is known by his friends.

—  International proverb

5 likes
Italian proverbWhen a friend asks, there is no tomorrow.

—  Italian proverb

4 likes
English proverbA friend in need is a friend indeed.

—  English proverb

4 likes
Chinese proverbA friend to everybody is a friend to nobody.

—  Chinese proverb

3 likes
French proverbCramped but with friends.

À l'étroit mais entre amis.

—  French proverb

3 likes
Greek proverbA friend who became an enemy was never a friend.

—  Greek proverb

3 likes

Movie Quotes

Casablanca (1942)Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

—  from the film Casablanca (1942)

5 likes



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