Friends are generally of the same sex, for when men and women agree, it is only in the conclusions; their reasons are always different.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
An honest answer is the sign of true friendship.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Strangers are what friends are made of.
—Cullen Hightower (b.1923) American Humorist
The best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
You find yourself refreshed in the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an honest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Writer
None is so rich as to throw away a friend.
—Turkish Proverb
Only solitary men know the full joys of friendship. Others have their family —but to a solitary and an exile his friends are everything.
—Willa Cather (1873–1947) American Novelist, Writer
We may be pretty certain that persons whom all the world treats ill deserve the treatment they get. The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly, kind companion; and so let all young persons take their choice.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.
—Rod McKuen (1933–2015) American Poet, Singer-songwriter, Actor
A friend is a lot of things, but a critic he isn’t.
—Bert Williams (1876–1922) American Entertainer, Actor
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
If we listened to our intellect we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go in business because we’d be cynical: It’s gonna go wrong. Or She’s going to hurt me. Or, I’ve had a couple of bad love affairs, so therefore … Well, that’s nonsense. You’re going to miss life. You’ve got to jump off the cliff all the time and build your wings on the way down.
—Ray Bradbury (b.1920) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Real friendship is a slow grower and never thrives unless engrafted upon a stock of known and reciprocal merit.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Those that lack friends to open themselves unto are cannibals of their own hearts.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (b.1940) American Self-Help Author
There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
‘Tis a great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults; greater to tell him his.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
What an argument in favor of social connections is the observation that by communicating our grief we have less, and by communicating our pleasure we have more.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
I cannot concentrate all my friendship on any single one of my friends because no one is complete enough in himself.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
Friends and wine should be old.
—Spanish Proverb
Life is a chronicle of friendship.
Friends create the world anew each day.
Without their loving care, courage would not
suffice to keep hearts strong for life.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Take heed how you place your good will upon any other ground than proof of virtue.—Neither length of acquaintance, mutual secrecies, nor height of benefits can bind a vicious heart; no man being good to others who is not good in himself.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
That is what friendship means. Sharing the prejudice of experience.
—Charles Bukowski (1920–94) American Writer
Do not allow yourself to be imprisoned by any affection. Keep your solitude. The day, if it ever comes, when you are given true affection there will be no opposition between interior solitude and friendship, quite the reverse. It is even by this infallible sign that you will recognize it.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
Friends are a second existence.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
Loyalty is what we seek in friendship.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
It is difficult to say who do you the most mischief, enemies with the worst intentions, or friends with the best.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
We need new friends. Some of us are cannibals who have eaten their old friends up; others must have ever-renewed audiences before whom to re-enact an ideal version of their lives.
—Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946) American-British Essayist, Bibliophile
Let us never adopt the maxim, Rather lose our friend than our jest.
—Quintilian (c.35–c.100 CE) Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic