friends - quotes

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882

was an US essayist and poet

We take care of our health, we lay up money, we make our roof tight and our clothing sufficient, but who provides wisely that he shall not be wanting the best property of all — friends?

(Sir) Peter (Alexander) Ustinov, 1921-2004

was an English actor and author

Contrary to general belief, I do not believe that friends are necessarily the people you like best, they are merely the people who got there first.

( “Dear Me”, 1977 )

(Lloyd) Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865-1946

was an American-born essayist and critic

I cannot forgive my friends for dying; I do not find these vanishing acts of theirs at all amusing.

( “Afterthoughts”, “Age and Death”, 1931 )

Nikolai (Vasilievich) Gogol, 1809-1852

was a Russian author and humorist

A struggle with infuriated foes is always bearable, but God preserve us from the terrible battle with one's friends. Everything that is in us gets broken by it.

( Letter to Sergei Aksakov, 1847; as used in biography by Janko Lavrin )