Everyone has a number of acquaintances; but no one has many
friends for true intimate friendship is not common, and there are many people
who seem to be capable of it. For a friendship to be intimate and lasting both
the friend must have some very special qualities.
First comes unselfish love, which is the very essence of
friendship. A man who is engrossed in his own interests and feelings, may, no
doubt , like to have an unselfish friend who will admire him, serve him and
always study his interests.
But friendship is a two sided affair, and lives by give-and-take , and no friendship can last long which is all give on one side and all take on the other. A selfish person is incapable of true friendship. The love and service must be mutual. Constancy is another important condition of a friendship. But some people have constitution ally. They take up an interest with enthusiasm, but they soon tire of it, and feel the attraction of some new objects.
But friendship is a two sided affair, and lives by give-and-take , and no friendship can last long which is all give on one side and all take on the other. A selfish person is incapable of true friendship. The love and service must be mutual. Constancy is another important condition of a friendship. But some people have constitution ally. They take up an interest with enthusiasm, but they soon tire of it, and feel the attraction of some new objects.
Such changeable and uncertain people are constitutionally
incapable of a life long friendship with any one. Friends must be loyal to each other and they
must know each other so well that there can be no suspicions between them.
We do not think much of a man that dares not stand up for his friends when he is criticized behind his back; nor of the man who readily believes rum our and gossip against his friend. Friends of suspicious natures and those who are easily influenced by reports and whispers, can never make good friends.
We do not think much of a man that dares not stand up for his friends when he is criticized behind his back; nor of the man who readily believes rum our and gossip against his friend. Friends of suspicious natures and those who are easily influenced by reports and whispers, can never make good friends.
There must be implicit confidence between friends. So that
each can feel that he can tell the other his being misunderstood or betrayed.
But there are talkative and communicative people, who can not keep a secret,
either their own or those of others, to save their lives; and such people will
never will never keep a friend long.
Finally, there must be perfect sympathy between
friends-sympathy with each other’s aims,
likes, joys , sorrows , purists and pleasures. And where such mutual sympathy
does not exist friendship is impossible.
“But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.