Part 4

Friendship is a pact where one balances faults and qualities. One can judge a friend, take account of what is good, neglect what is evil, and appreciate exactly his value, in abandoning one’s self to an intimate, profound and charming sympathy.

--Guy de Maupassant

Everyone can have a friend Who himself knows how to be a friend.

--Old Saying

We do not wish for Friends to feed and clothe our bodies,--neighbors are kind enough for that,--but to do the like office to our spirits. For this few are rich enough, however well disposed they may be.

--Henry D. Thoreau

Friendship closes its eye, rather than see the moon eclipst; while malice denies that it is ever at the full.

--J. C. and A. W. Hare

Son, if the lintels of thy house are lofty, and thy friend be sick, say not: What shall I send to him? Go thou rather on foot, and see him with thy eyes; for that is better for him than a thousand talents of gold or Silver.

--Arabian Legend

We must love our friends as true amateurs love paintings: they have their eyes perpetually fixed upon the fine qualities, and see no others.

--Mme. d’Epinay

Nothing is so difficult as to help a Friend in matters which do not require the aid of Friendship, but only a cheap and trivial service, if your Friendship wants the basis of a thorough practical acquaintance.

--Henry D. Thoreau

Great souls by instinct to each other turn, Demand alliance, and in friendship burn.

--Addison

Fast as the rolling seasons bring The hour of fate to those we love, Each pearl that leaves the broken string Is set in Friendship’s crown above. As narrower grows the earthly chain, The circle widens in the sky; These are our treasures that remain, But those are stars that beam on high.

--O. W. Holmes

There is nothing more becoming any wise man, than to make choice of friends, for by them thou shalt be judged as thou art; let them therefore be wise and virtuous, and none of those that follow thee for gain; but make election rather of thy betters, than thy inferiors.

--Sir Walter Raleigh

True friendship is like sound health: the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.

--C. C. Colton

A woman’s friendship borders more closely on love than man’s. Men affect each other in the reflection of noble or friendly acts; whilst women ask fewer proofs and more signs and expressions of attachment.

--Coleridge

Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.

--Franklin

A true friend to a man is a friend to all his friends.

--Wycherley