Part 16

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To take the companionship of life from life, what else is it than to take away the means of absent friends conversing together?

--Cicero.

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The love of friendship is the most perfect form of loving.

--Cardinal Manning.

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The highest compact we can make with our fellow is, Let there be truth between us two forevermore. It is sublime to feel and say of another, I need never meet, or speak, or write to him; we need not reinforce ourselves or send tokens of remembrance, I rely on him as on myself; if he did thus or thus I know it was right.

--Emerson.

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True friendship between man and man is infinite and immortal.

--Plato.

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There is a magic in the memory of schoolboy friendships; it softens the heart, and even affects the nervous system of those who have no hearts.

--Disraeli.

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Think it not friendship which ever seeks itself, but that which gives itself for others.

--Marshall.

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The vital air of friendship is composed of confidences.

--Roux.

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When Socrates was building himself a house at Athens, being asked by one that observed the littleness of the design why a man so eminent would not have an abode more suitable to his dignity, he replied that he should think himself sufficiently accommodated if he could see that narrow habitation filled with real friends.

--Johnson.

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While friendship embraces very many and great advantages, she undoubtedly surpasses all in this, that she shines with a brilliant hope over the future, and never suffers the spirit to be weakened or to sink. Besides, he who looks on a true friend, looks, as it were, upon a kind of image of himself; wherefore, friends, though absent, are still present; though in poverty, they are rich; though weak, yet in the enjoyment of health; and, what is still more difficult to assert, though dead, they are alive; so entirely does the honor, the memory, the regret of friends attend them.

--Cicero.

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