From Aristotle To Emerson: What Are Some Quotes About Friendship And Its Value?
Key takeaways
- Many influential thinkers throughout history have reflected on the tremendous value of friendship.
- These quotes highlight the ways in which friendship can improve happiness, make difficult times more bearable, and enhance overall well-being.
- If you would like to develop stronger friendships in your life, there are steps you can take to do so, and meeting with a therapist can help you with your specific concerns.
Countless authors, philosophers, artists, and leaders have written and spoken about friendship. From Aristotle and Friedrich Nietzsche to Ralph Waldo Emerson and O. Henry, many influential voices throughout history have offered perspectives on what constitutes a true friend and what makes friendships so valuable. By reading and reflecting on some of these quotes, you may find some pearls of wisdom about the value and nature of friendship that resonate with you. If you find yourself longing for stronger, more meaningful friendships, consider connecting with a qualified therapist for support.
What are some famous quotes about friendship from Aristotle and O. Henry?
Some of the most famous quotes about friendship have come from the Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle and the American writer O. Henry, who is perhaps best known for his short story, “The Gift of the Magi.”
Aristotle on the nature of friendship
Below, you can explore quotes attributed to Aristotle on the power of connection and what it means to be a true friend:
- “What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.”
- “A friend to all is a friend to none.”
- “Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.”
O. Henry on the effort involved in building friendships
In the realm of friendship, the author O. Henry is best known for one quote in particular: “No friendship is an accident.”
This quote highlights the effort and intention that are often required to create and sustain a close friendship. Becoming someone’s friend does not usually happen by chance, but rather through consistently showing up, offering support, and tending to the connection.
What have Ralph Waldo Emerson, Elbert Hubbard, and other influential thinkers said about friendship?
In addition to the quotes listed above, some other famous quotes about friendship have come from the American essayist, philosopher, and lecturer Ralph Waldo Emerson and the American writer and artist Elbert Hubbard. But these are just the beginning—there are many other powerful quotes about friendship that you can explore.
Quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson
Below are several quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson on the value of sincerity and the nature of true friendship:
- "A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.”
- "The only way to have a friend is to be one."
- "It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
- "Friendship is the sweetest influence."
Quotes from Elbert Hubbard
The writer Elbert Hubbard has a couple of well-known quotes about friendship:
- "A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you."
- "Never explain—your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.”
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Other powerful quotes about friendship
Below, you can explore even more friend quotes from a range of authors, leaders, and thinkers:
- “Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.” –John Evelyn
- “It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” –Friedrich Nietzsche
- “A good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.” –Irish Proverb
- “We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” –Robert Louis Stevenson
- “Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend.” –Sarah Dessen
- “True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.” –Charles Caleb Colton
- “The greatest sweetener of human life is friendship.” –Joseph Addison
- “Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief.” –Marcus Tullius Cicero
These friendship quotes highlight the tremendous value of friendship. It can build strong romantic relationships, add joy to life, and make difficult times more bearable. A large body of evidence supports these assertions. Research shows that strong friendships offer significant benefits for well-being, such as increasing life satisfaction, protecting against anxiety and depression, improving resilience to stress, and enhancing physical health in a variety of ways.
How can you develop stronger friendships that support your overall well-being?
If you would like to develop stronger friendships in your own life, effective strategies to do so may include the following:
- Putting effort into your existing friendships
- Being open and vulnerable with others
- Engaging in activities you enjoy to meet like-minded friends
- Seeking support for your specific concerns in therapy
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Learning to develop stronger friendships in therapy
If you have specific concerns that make it difficult to create the kinds of friendships you want, seeking professional support through therapy can be a valuable step. For instance, if you live with social anxiety, the symptoms you experience may create added challenges to building and maintaining strong friendships—but a therapist can help.
You can connect with a qualified therapist in person or online. If a condition like social anxiety disorder makes it challenging to leave the house, online therapy may be a more comfortable option. You can even choose between video, audio, and online chat for each session, depending on your preferences.
Plus, research has shown online therapy to be effective for a range of concerns, including reducing symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a common modality for treating social anxiety disorder, can easily be adapted for telehealth sessions.
Takeaway
Many influential authors, philosophers, artists, and leaders have delivered powerful statements on the nature and value of friendship. These quotes highlight some of the benefits of close connections and the effort involved in cultivating strong, authentic relationships. For support in building more fulfilling friendships in your own life, you can meet with a licensed therapist online or in your area.
What is a quote about loyalty in friendship?
Oprah Winfrey once said, “Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” This quote can emphasize the importance of friends who are loyal to you and don’t just want to be friends with you because it benefits them.
Why do we need friends?
According to the American Psychological Association, friendship can promote physical and mental health. Strong friendships can even extend a person’s lifespan and reduce their risk of experiencing anxiety disorders and depression.
What is the value of friendship?
Strong friendships tend to be associated with improved overall well-being. Aside from gifts and physical tokens like friendship bracelets, friends can provide fun, laughter, and consistent emotional support.
What is the moral of friendship?
There isn’t necessarily one moral associated with friendship. Instead, friendship can teach people a variety of lessons about love, compassion, empathy, support, and more.
What's most important in friendship?
Each person may have their own priorities, but kindness and loyalty tend to be important aspects of a healthy friendship. Shared interests and values can also be beneficial for lasting friendships.
What are the qualities of a good friend?
A good friend may be honest, respectful, loyal, and a good listener. They may also be dependable, trustworthy, kind, and supportive.
What is a quote about long-time friendships?
Below are a few true friendship quotes:
- “A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” —Donna Roberts
- “Remember that life's most valuable antiques are dear old friends.” –H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
- “Friends are the siblings God never gave us.” –Mencius
- “We’ll be the old ladies causing trouble in the nursing home.” –Unknown
- “A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. True friends walk in when the rest of the world has walked out.” –Walter Winchell
- “A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden.” –Unknown
- “The best mirror is an old friend.” –George Herbert
- “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face.” –Maya Angelou
- "Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious." –Thomas Aquinas
- “Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” –President Woodrow Wilson
- “Friends... They cherish one another's hopes. They are kind to one another's dreams.” –Henry David Thoreau
Can I survive without any friends?
While it’s possible to survive without friends, friendships tend to enrich a person’s life and enhance their overall well-being. If you struggle to make and maintain friendships, consider working with a therapist who can offer professional support.
How often should true friends talk?
There isn’t a set rule regarding how often two friends should talk to each other. It can be common to go through phases where you don’t speak to friends as much.
How long do most friends last?
Every friendship is different. Some friendships may last a season, while others may last a lifetime, remaining friends forever. Whether your childhood friendships are still going strong or you’re seeking a new friendship, a real friend can have a positive impact on your whole life. A good friend may lead you to smile brighter, laugh louder, and make your life brighter.
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