Famously Said Random quote

Quotes about friendship

200 quotes from 127 people

Most readBy personPage 13 of 14

Those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.
Tacitus55–120
I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone, let him be where he will.
Henry David Thoreau1817–1862Walden (1854), SolitudeIn context
- Thinking
The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.
Mark Twain1835–1910Pudd’nhead Wilson (1894), Ch. 8.
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter III · Strategic Attack
- Enemies
- War & Peace
Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter VI · Weaknesses and Strengths
- Enemies
- War & Peace
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IIIIn context
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IVIn context
- Enemies
- War & Peace
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter VIIIn context
- Enemies
- War & Peace
Do not trust the horse, Trojans.
Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts.
Virgil70–19 BCAeneid (29–19 BC), Book II
- Enemies
I always made one prayer to God, a very short one. Here it is: “O Lord, make our enemies quite ridiculous!” God granted it.
Voltaire1694–1778Letter to Étienne Noël Damilaville (16 May 1767)
- Enemies
- Prayer
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
George Washington1732–1799Letter to Bushrod Washington (15 January 1783)
Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.
George Washington1732–1799
It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.
E. B. White1899–1985Charlotte’s Web, last lines
- Writing
All love that has not friendship for its base,
Is like a mansion built upon the sand.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox1850–1919New Thought Pastels (1913), Love
- Love
There are none to decline your nectared wine,
But alone you must drink life’s gall.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox1850–1919Solitude (1883)In context