The Finest Friends - How Do You Rate?

The Finest Friends - How Do You Rate?

The only way to have a friend is to be one.
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

What makes a true friend? Here are a dozen traits, coupled with insightful quotations on the values of friendship.

You may wish to see how you measure up, before you begin rating your friends.

1. Acceptance

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." (Walter Winchell)

2. Authenticity

"The best mirror is an old friend." (George Herbert)

3. Availability

"Friends show their love in times of trouble..." (Euripedes)

4. Compassion

"A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother." (Homer)

5. Encouragement

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

6. Forgiveness

"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend." (Abraham Lincoln)

7. Friendliness

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

8. Fun

"There can be no Friendship where there is no Freedom." (William Penn)

9. Honesty

"An honest answer is the sign of true friendship." (Proverbs 24:26)

10. Loyalty

"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies." (Aristotle)

11.Personality

"A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked. " (Author unknown)

12. Trustworthiness

"A friend loves at all times." (Proverbs 17:17)

The Value of True Friends

Friendship has many levels. You may have many acquaintances, several familiar folks, and even a fair number of social friends. However, throughout your entire human life, if you have even a handful of true life-long friends, then you are extremely fortunate!

Your friends will influence you towards greatness or destruction. Also, whether you like it or not, people will measure you by the friends you keep.

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends." (Old Japanese proverb)


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