I don't readily forget old friends, nor easily stop loving anybody I have ever loved. However, I learned long ago not to expect more than three people to care for me at a time-maybe I'm extravagant in saying three. The parable of Pythagoras is dark, but true, "Cor ne edito"-eat not the heart. Certainly, if a man would give it a hard phrase, those that want friends to open themselves unto are cannibals of their own hearts. Companions I have enough, friends few. Much as worthy friends add to the happiness and value of life, we must in the main depend upon ourselves, and every one is his own best friend, or worst enemy. Ah, friends! before my listening ear lies low, That gentle treatment and fond love, I pray. Happy is he who wins friends in early life by true affinities. He multiplies himself; he has more hands and feet than his own, and other fortresses to flee into when his own are dismantled by evil fortune, and other hearts to throb with his joy. James Russell Lowell Francis Bacon "Of Friendship" Pope Lord Ella Wheeler Theodore Francis Bacon "Of Friendship" Eliza Cook Victor Plutarch in "Life of Solon" It is strange thing to behold what gross errors and extreme absurdities many (especially of the greater sort) do commit for the want of a friend to tell them of them. Oh! as we prove the life-boat, so we often prove a friend; And those who promise least of all, are truest in the end. No figure-head of gold and red may mark them as they go; But how their honest planks will stand when trouble-tempests blow. They may not dance around us on the broad and sunlit tide, But 'twixt the gale and dark lee-shore we find them close beside. A cheer, then, for the noble breast that fears not danger's post: And, like the life-boat, proves a friend, when friends are wanted most. The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather loved in spite of ourselves. Anacharsis coming to Athens, knocked at Solon's door, and told him that he, being a stranger, was come to be his guest, and contract a friendship with him; and Solon replying, "It is better to make friends at home," Anacharsis replied, "Then you that are at home make friendship with me." There is more to do than one can do alone, and an unfriended life will be poor and meager. Above our life we love a faithful friend. Theodore Munger Marlowe Thomas Oh, I have roamed o'er many lands, Haynes Bailey And many friends I've met; Not one fair scene or kindly smile Can this fond heart forget. A pleasant companion on the way is as good as a carriage. A friend is dearer than the light of heaven; for it would be better for us that the sun were extinguished, than that we should be without friends. If, as a mere matter of strength and resource, I were to face life with the choice of either a fortune or friends, I would choose the latter as more helpful. True be thy sword, thy friend sincere! We were friends from the first moment. Sincere attachments usually begin at the beginning. My God, my Father and my Friend, Publilius Saint Chrysostom Theodore Munger Scott Joseph Roscommon I account more strength in a true heart than in a walled city. John Saadi Jean de la Bruyère John Vance Cheney Samuel Johnson Lord Byron Plautus Porter Cicero "Оп Friend ship" Neither of my own free will cast I myself into the fire; for the chain of affection was laid upon my neck. I was still at a distance when the fire began to glow, nor is this the moment that it was lighted up within me. Who shall impute it to me as a fault, that I am enchanted by my friend, that I am content in casting myself at his feet? One faithful friend is enough for a man's self; 't is much to meet with such an one. A kind heart greets me here and there; I trudge, and say the path is fair Along the years. What is a friend? One who supports you and comforts you, while others do not. How much thy friendship was above He does nothing who consoles a despairing man with his words; he is a friend who in a difficulty helps by deeds, where there is need of deeds. A friend is not so soon gotten as lost. Nothing indeed yields a richer revenue than kind affections, nothing gives more delight than the interchange of friendly care and offices. Friends and acquaintances are the surest passport to fortune. Large was his bounty, and his soul serene, He gained from Heaven ('t was all he wished) Nothing is dearer to a man than a serviceable friend. Friendship enhances the luster of prosperity and by dividing and sharing adversity lessens its burden. I'm very lonely now, Mary, For the poor make no new friends; The few our Father sends! Be a friend; the rest will follow. We attract hearts by the qualities we display; we retain them by the qualities we possess. To be rich in friends is to be poor in nothing. But other loads than this his own One man is not well made to bear. Schopenhauer Thomas Plautus Cicero "On Friend ship" Lady Dufferin Dickerson Suard Lilian Matthew Besides, to each are his own friends, To mourn with him, and show him care. My dearest meed, a friend's esteem and praise. Robert |