Why Is Friendship Important? Meaningful Friendship Quotes From Aristotle And Others

Throughout history, many prominent thinkers have reflected on the power and meaning of true friendship. From ancient philosophers musing on the value of honesty and trust to influential poets illustrating the importance of being open to new friendships, these powerful friendship quotes may illuminate the key role friendship can play in our lives. Reading through some of these reflections may give you a fresh perspective on the meaning and importance of having—and being—a true friend. If you would like support in building more meaningful friendships, speaking with a qualified therapist can help. 

What are some meaningful friendship quotes from Aristotle and other ancient philosophers? 

Recognizing the value of friendship is far from a new concept. In fact, some of the most well-known quotes about friendship originated from ancient philosophers like Aristotle, Confucius, Epicurus, and others.

Meaningful friendship quotes from Aristotle

Below are a couple of quotes on friendship from the Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle: 

• “Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.”
• “What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.”

Friendship quotes from other ancient philosophers

Below are a few other quotes on friendship from prominent ancient philosophers:

• “It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.” –Confucius
• "To throw away an honest friend is, as it were, to throw your life away.” –Sophocles
• “Of all the means to insure happiness throughout the whole life, by far the most important is the acquisition of friends.” –Epicurus

What are some famous quotes about friendship from Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson?

Traveling forward in history, many other famous quotes about friendship came from authors and philosophers. In the 19th century, quotes from Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson gained traction.

Henry David Thoreau on friendship

Ralph Waldo Emerson on friendship

Meanwhile, below are some of Emerson’s musings on friendship:

• "Friendship is the sweetest influence." 
• "It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."

What are some other meaningful quotes about friendship?

Different quotes may speak to different people. For additional perspectives on friendship, you can read through the reflections below:

• "Women's friendships are like a renewable source of power.” –Jane Fonda
• “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.” –Maya Angelou
• “Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity." –Kahlil Gibran
• "A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." –The Bible, Proverbs 27:9
• “A good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.” – Irish Proverb

Quotes about the power of friendship

• “Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.” – John Evelyn
• “The greatest sweetener of human life is friendship.” – Joseph Addison
• “Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend.” – Sarah Dessen
• "Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them" –Anna Taylor
• “There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature.” –P.G. Wodehouse

Quotes about the value of true friends

• “If you have two friends in your lifetime, you're lucky. If you have one good friend, you're more than lucky.” –S.E. Hinton
• “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.” –Henri Nouwen

How can you build more meaningful friendships in your life?

These friend quotes underscore the immense importance of friendship in life. What can you do if you are not satisfied with the quality of your current friendships? 

Strategies to build strong friendships

Here are a few ideas to build healthy friendships:

• Plan a fun activity to do with a friend that allows you to bond, such as going for a hike, making friendship bracelets, or enjoying a movie night together
• Make a concerted effort to offer emotional support to a friend, and try to open up to them as well 
• Practice active listening when spending time with friends
• Seek further support in therapy if needed

How therapy can promote meaningful friendship

In online or in-person therapy, you can work with an experienced therapist to identify and address the challenges that may be standing in the way of the types of friendship you desire. If these challenges include mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders or depression, that make leaving the house or having in-person interactions difficult, online therapy may be a more comfortable option. 

Plus, research has demonstrated the effectiveness of online interventions for a range of concerns, including reducing loneliness. Online therapy typically uses the same evidence-based therapeutic modalities as face-to-face care, producing similar outcomes.