Размышления великих людей о дружбе

Than twice five-thousand kinsmen, one in blood.

Euripides.

* * *

A principal fruit of friendship is the ease and discharge of the fullness and swelling of the heart, which passions of all kinds do cause and induce. No receipt openeth the heart but a true friend, to whom you may impart griefs, joys, fears, hopes, suspicions, counsels, and whatsoever lieth upon the heart to oppress it, in a kind of civil shrift or confession.

Bacon.

* * *

Be true to thy friend. Never speak of his faults to another, to show thy own discrimination; but open them all to him, with candor and true gentleness; forgive all his errors and his sins, be they ever so many; but do not excuse the slightest deviation from rectitude. Never forbear to dissent from a false opinion, or a wrong practice, from mistaken motives of kindness; nor seek thus to have thy own weaknesses sustained; for these things cannot be done without injury to the soul.

Child.

* * *

Be admonished not to strike leagues of friendship with cheap persons, where no friendship can be.

Emerson.

* * *

A day for toil, an hour for sport,

But for a friend life is too short.

Emerson.

* * *

After a certain age a new friend is a wonder. There is the age of blossoms and sweet budding green, the age of generous summer, the autumn when the leaves drop, and then winter shivering and bare.

Thackeray.

* * *

Bitter and unrelenting enemies often deserve better of us than those friends whom we are inclined to regard as pleasant companions; the former often tell us the truth, the latter never.

Cicero.

* * *

Does friendship really go on to be more pain than pleasure? I doubt it, for even in its deepest sorrows there is a joy which makes ordinary pleasure a very poor, meaningless affair.

Unknown.

* * *

Friendship does not spring up and grow great and become perfect all at once, but requires time and the nourishment of thoughts.

Dante.

* * *

Even the utmost good-will and harmony and practical kindness are not sufficient for friendship, for friends do not live in harmony, merely, as some say, but in melody. 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.

Thoreau.

* * *

A pure friendship inspires, cleanses, expands, and strengthens the soul.

Alger.

* * *

A friend is he that loves, and he that is beloved.

Hobbe.

* * *

Change, care, nor Time while life endure

Shall spoil our ancient friendship sure.

Lang.

* * *

Every young man is the better for cherishing strong friendships with the wise and good; and he whose soul is knit to one or more chosen associates with whom he can sympathize in right aims and feelings, is thereby the better armed against temptation and confirmed in paths of virtue.

Carlyle.

* * *

Believing hear, what you deserve to hear:

Your birthday, as my own, to me is dear.

Blest and distinguished days! Which we should prize

The first, the kindest, bounty of the skies.

But yours gives most; for mine did only lend

Me to the world, yours gave to me a friend.