Contributed by Info Guru Paul Seaburn
Today we talk about having millions of Twitter followers and thousands of Facebook friends, but how many of us can say we have one good friend?
Friendship is a relationship that has intrigued philosophers, poets and great thinkers since the dawn of time and many left us with good friend sayings to help us ponder our own friendships. If you’re fortunate enough to have one, share these with your good friend.
10. Euripides
The ancient Greek playwright Euripides probably got invited to more parties than family reunions with this saying: “One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.”
9. Albert Camus
Author Albert Camus wrote “The Stranger” but probably knew this good way to turn a stranger into a friend: “Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”
8. Aristotle
Greek philosopher Aristotle taught many things to Alexander the Great. I wonder if one of those was this good friend saying: “Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.”
7. Bernard Meltzer
Bernard Meltzer was the host of the radio advice call-in show, “What’s Your Problem?” If the caller had a friendship issue, he probably offered this advice: “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”
6. John Leonard
Film and television critic John Leonard knew something about the challenge of making good movies and good friends too when he said: “It takes a long time to grow an old friend.”
5. Dorothy Parker
Poet, critic and satirist Dorothy Parker had many good friends in the Algonquin Round Table. I wonder if she had them in mind when she said this: “Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship.”
4. Oscar Wilde
Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde was well-known for his biting wit in comedies like “The Importance of Being Earnest.” That wit is evident in this funny-but-true observation about friends: “True friends stab you in the front.”
3. Ben Franklin
Poor Richard’s Almanack contained many wonder observations by its author, Ben Franklin. I wonder if Ben was referring to one of the Founding Fathers when he said this: “’Tis a great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults; greater to tell him his.”
2. Marlene Dietrich
Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich was known for her controversial views, but there’s nothing controversial about her views on friends: “It’s the friends you can call up at 4am that matter.”
1. Henry Ford
Henry Ford made many friends with the Model T, but it took more than a car to be Henry’s good friend. He put it this way: “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.”