Friends Are the Sunshine of Life

Life is hard. That's why we shouldn't go it alone.

"A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway."
~Fr. Jerome Cummings

"Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends."

~Cindy Lew

Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure.

~Jewish Saying

"Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you."
~Elbert Hubbard

"Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure."
~Jewish saying

What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.

~Aristotle

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.

~Albert Camus

"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Hold a true friend with both your hands."

~Nigerian Proverb

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."

~Anonymous

"Friends are like melons; shall I tell you why?
To find one good you must one hundred try."

~Claude Mermet

"Friendship needs no words..."
~Dag Hammarskjold.

"Friends are the sunshine of life."
~John Hay (1871)

One of the most illuminating passages on friendship that I've ever read is the chapter on Philia from C.S. Lewis' volume The Four Loves. Here are a few gems. You may also visit this Goodreads page, which displays several more.

“Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”  (EdNote: This is how Keith Richards' friendship with Mick Jagger began.)

“Eros will have naked bodies; Friendship naked personalities.”

“People who bore one another should meet seldom; people who interest one another, often.”

Thank you, friends, for all your encouragement and kindnesses. Have a wonderful day. Friends are indeed the sunshine of life.