Friendship, fortunately, is a common phenomenon. At least, there are rarely people who openly admit that they have no friends and comrades. It is believed that the “lone wolf" is unhappy, it is difficult and sad for him, "and there is no one to give a hand" ... "You have no friends at all," - they say this to a person when they want to reproach him with a bad character.
Friendship Definitions
However, there is no consensus on this bright feeling. Numerous statements about the friendship of sages, writers, politicians and other famous people are sometimes striking in their aphorism, capacity, combined with conciseness, but they have little in common. Moreover, sometimes these quotes contradict one another. Their emotional fullness wanders between touching-optimistic and completely gloomy views, expressing complete disbelief in the existence of disinterested relationships between people. The same applies to views on the truth. In some cases, she should be talked directly into her eyes, not caring whether she would like it or not. In other circumstances, it is believed that it is better to keep silent about unpleasant aspects of the character of a friend, showing delicacy. For example, Monsieur Joubert believed that it is best to look at a one-eyed friend in profile, it is clear which side. The famous critic Vissarion Belinsky, on the contrary, believed that telling the truth is not only a right, but also a friendly duty. According to Quintillian, good relations are more important than the ability to show off wit. Nevertheless, there are statements about friendship with the opposite meaning.
Friendly greed
Idealists believe that both love and friendship are feelings a priori selfless. Otherwise, the relationship does not deserve these bright names and they are based on purely business considerations. However, it is also difficult to imagine that two friends never help each other, or one of them constantly and irresponsibly borrowed from the other. Sooner or later, such a “sponsorship” will bother one of them, and they will part, possibly with scandal and quarrel.
Statements of friendship based on a specific interest are characteristic of John Rockefeller (business is a better basis for friendship than friendship for business). P. A. Golbakh, who argued that if you deprive the relationship of mutual benefits, they will cease immediately, is not inferior to it. Francois de Larochefoucault also showed skepticism, who saw in his joint pastime, exchange of services, and even mutual assistance, the ambitious pursuit of profit. A useless friend becomes a stranger, as P. Holbach put it.
Very rare
The statements of great people about friendship as a rare phenomenon, despite the apparent prevalence, are interesting. In order for her to please, a number of conditions are required. The historian Karamzin shared his opinion on the exceptional sincerity of the friendship that arose in the early years. It is difficult to argue with this, because in childhood and adolescence people, as a rule, are far from material interests or prejudices. True, everything changes with age, but still ... The intelligence of friends also matters, because a stupid friend can do worse than hundreds of enemies, this is what Kabus said. He noticed that a nasty comrade is worse than loneliness. Another famous quote - “... and it would be better to be alone than with anyone ...” - attributed to Omar Khayyam.
About Unanimity
This is a very good word, and it does not mean standardization of thinking in any way, but a certain unified direction, chosen as the main one. Just as during the general prayer in the temple the aspirations of the parishioners are concentrated on the Creator, the desires of friends should coincide, at least in their main idea. Many wise sayings about friendship are known, illustrating solidarity, without which emotional peace is impossible. The German poet Goethe once wrote that like-minded people (a good word nevertheless!) Are doomed to reconciliation even after the most serious disagreement. Democritus even considered unanimity to be the material from which friendship is made. It is objectively difficult to imagine comrades constantly arguing and swearing, but this is inevitable if the differences are of a fundamental nature. For nothing, you can ...
Tests and Verifications
True friends are found not only in childhood. This happens in war, or in other circumstances, when a person’s character is fully revealed, and it’s impossible to hide cowardice, greed or dishonesty. It is then that it becomes clear who deserves respect, which, according to Charles Darwin, is an indispensable condition for friendly relations. The most holy bond called the mouth of Taras Bulba the great Gogol partnership. Friends are in trouble, a Russian proverb says, and other statements about true friendship echo with it. The brave man is tested in battle, the sage is in anger, and the friend is in need, considered the wise Al-Harizi. It’s hard not to agree.
Parity
The brilliant ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras put an equal sign between friendship and ... equality. There are other statements about friendship in which this arithmetic symbol is present. The goose is not a pig, this is our, domestic formula, denoting the need for some common social level. But not only material status determines such parity. The fact that it is difficult for the poor to be friends with the rich is obvious. It is finally just too expensive. Sooner or later, they will start sending him for a beer or asking him to fulfill other tasks, and he will become an ordinary “errand boy”. But there is also intellectual inequality, and whatever the merits of a less developed comrade, it will be difficult to communicate with him. Democritus derived another formula expressing the superiority of friendship with one smart person over partnership with many fools. Claude Helvetius suggested judging a person by his friends. Many other intelligent people expressed this idea in the same way.
Women Friendship
Sarcastic statements about female friendship can only be compared with stories about the ability of blondes to drive vehicles. At the same time, their authors are people of both sexes. “Who are you friends against, girls?” - asked Ranevskaya two whispering young actresses. How does this look like a Chekhov phrase that a community of hatred binds people sometimes stronger than love, friendship and respect. But it was said by Anton Pavlovich not about women, but about all people. And even the fair sex is rarely capable of real friendship, but even among men it is an infrequent phenomenon, except for its desire for the joint drinking of alcoholic beverages and other uncomplicated entertainments that do not require special mental efforts. So, in general, women are friends about the same as their courageous halves, that is, sometimes in no way. When they meet, they spend time talking about common acquaintances (often called gossip), drink coffee, tea, sometimes something stronger. Men do the same. This is called "sit with friends."
The great Leonardo once noticed that in the poultry yard, hens live much friendlier than roosters.
By the way, some women drive a car quite well. Even blondes.
Statements of friendship, loyalty and betrayal
Bernard Shaw reminded of the inevitability of settling accounts in both love and friendship . Ibsen called treachery the most outrageous crime. Mark Twain believed that a true friend is always there, especially if a person is wrong. A famous comedian once seriously joked that friends do not need to have, they need to love and respect.
Many clever sayings about friendship indicate that enemies cannot betray. Friends betray it. But if they are faithful, they are obliged to wait for an invitation in happiness, and in grief to come to the house themselves, Isokrat was sure of this. And this is true so long as a person is rich, healthy and successful, he is surrounded by those who call themselves his friends. A change of circumstances for the worse dramatically reduces their number, and only those few remain who you can really rely on. With them, according to F. Bacon, joys are doubled, and sorrows are reduced by half. With them, as the poet Gudzenko wrote, you can swear and sing. With them, you can safely move on through life.