Do not tell a friend anything you would conceal from an enemy.
—Arabic Proverb
But please remember, especially in these times of group-think and the right-on chorus, that no person is your friend (or kin) who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow and be perceived as fully blossomed as you were intended.
—Alice Walker (b.1944) American Novelist, Activist
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 (1903–77) French-American Essayist
For when two beings who are not friends are near each other there is no meeting, and when friends are far apart there is no separation.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
Friends make pretence of following to the grave but before one is in it, their minds are turned and making the best of their way back to life and living people and things they understand.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.
—Jesse Owens (1913–80) American Track-and-Field Athlete
Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals; love, an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love friends for their sake rather than for our own.
—Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet
Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
A good friend is my nearest relation.
—Common Proverb
Friendship is one mind in two bodies.
—Mencius (c.371–c.289 BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
An ounce of blood is worth more than a pound of friendship.
—Spanish Proverb
Stay is a charming word in a friend’s vocabulary.
—Louisa May Alcott (1832–88) American Novelist
Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
A man should choose a friend who is better than himself. There are plenty of acquaintances in the world; but very few real friends.
—Chinese Proverb
I am treating you as my friend, asking you to share my present minuses in the hope I can ask you to share my future pluses.
—Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923) New Zealand-born British Author
Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.
—Samuel Butler
Friendship is a sheltering tree.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.
—Unknown
A friend is known when needed.
—Arabic Proverb
Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Friendship is love without his wings.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don’t accept, because you will lose one friend; on the other hand, if two strangers come with the same request, accept, because you will gain one friend.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Your friendship is your needs answered.
—Danish Proverb