quotations about friends
One of the principal functions of a friend is to suffer (in a milder and symbolic form) the punishments that we should like, but are unable, to inflict upon our enemies.
ALDOUS HUXLEY
Brave New World
Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend.
SARAH DESSEN
Someone Like You
The best time to make friends is before you need them.
ETHEL BARRYMORE
Look Magazine, 1967
It is easy to make acquaintances, but very difficult to shake them off, however irksome and unprofitable they are found, after we have once committed ourselves to them.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
letter to Bushrod Washington, Jan. 15, 1783
One's friends are that part of the human race with which one can be human.
GEORGE SANTAYANA
Atoms of Thought
There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.
JANE AUSTEN
Northanger Abbey
When we forget old friends, it is a sign we have forgotten ourselves.
WILLIAM HAZLITT
Characteristics
Have no friends not equal to yourself.
CONFUCIUS
The Wisdom of Confucius
However we may flatter ourselves to the contrary, our friends think no higher of us than the world do. They see us through the jaundiced or distrustful eyes of others. They may know better, but their feelings are governed by popular prejudice. Nay, they are more shy of us (when under a cloud) than even strangers; for we involve them in a common disgrace, or compel them to embroil themselves in continual quarrels and disputes in our defense.
WILLIAM HAZLITT
Characteristics
As a wolf resembles a dog, so both a flatterer and an adulterer and a parasite resemble a friend. Take care then that instead of watch dogs you do not without knowing it let in mischievous wolves.
EPICTETUS
Fragments
While friends we were, the hot debates
That rose 'twixt you and me!
Now we are mere associates,
And never disagree.
WILLIAM ALLINGHAM
"Blackberries"
If your heart is filled with human sympathy you are sure to have friends.
LEWIS F. KORNS
Thoughts
If you want enemies, excel others; if you want friends, let others excel you.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON
Lacon
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
diary entry, March 1937
The talent of making friends is not equal to the talent of doing without them.
VITTORIO ALFIERI
attributed, Day's Collacon
He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare,
And he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.
ALI IBN-ABI-TALIB
A Hundred Sayings
Friends are most easily acquired in youth, but they are likewise most easily lost.
ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD
Tales
A true friend, with an annual oiling, will run a lifetime, like a good watch.
AUSTIN O'MALLEY
Keystones of Thought
A friend will help you up if someone knocks you down. A best friend says "Stay down. I got this."
ANONYMOUS
He who has wealth has friends.
CHANAKYA
Vridda-Chanakya