I’ll be there for you: Quotes to celebrate unbreakable bonds of friendship

“The language of friendship is not words but meanings.”— Henry David Thoreau

Here, American naturalist Henry David Thoreau captures the unique nature of friendship by suggesting that friendship goes beyond spoken words; it lies in the deeper meanings and understandings between friends. He states that genuine friendship is often about the unspoken bond that friends share.

“Friends should be like books, few, but hand-selected.”— CJ Langenhoven

In this quote, South African poet CJ Langenhoven compares friends to books. He suggests that, just like we carefully choose the books we read, we should also be selective about the friends we make. He urges us to cherish the friendships we have and to be deliberate while selecting friends.

“It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us, as the confidence of their help.”— Epicurus

Here Greek philosopher Epicurus highlights the deep impact of friendship. He tells us that it is not just the help that our friends provide that matters, but the assurance that they are always there for us. For instance, we all have that one friend who helps us with presentations, goes the extra mile or takes responsibility for the whole group.  The sense of trust, confidence and security that such friends offer enriches our lives.

“My friends are my estate.”— Emily Dickinson

In this quote, American poet Emily Dickinson talks about the value she places on her friendships. She compares her friends to treasure, suggesting they are more worthy than any material possession. By comparing her friends to an estate, she states the priceless nature of friendship.

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” — Muhammad Ali

In this insightful quote, legendary boxer Muhammad Ali shares his definition of friendship. He points out that friendship is difficult to define and cannot be taught in a traditional classroom setting. Ali states that understanding the true meaning of friendship is a life lesson without which, any kind of education is incomplete. 

“Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend.” — Bill Watterson

Here, American cartoonist Bill Watterson, renowned for creating the characters of Calvin and Hobbes, an adventurous young boy and his stuffed tiger friend, highlights the reassuring power of friendship. He states that challenges and fears seem less scary in life when we have a best friend by our side. Watterson’s words remind us of the confidence and courage that true friends provide and how they make it easier for us to face difficulties.

“True friends are like diamonds—bright, beautiful, valuable, and always in style.” — Nicole Richie

In this wonderful quote, American television personality Nicole Richie compares true friends to diamonds. She suggests that the beauty and value of genuine friendships is something that’s timeless and always in vogue. Richie’s words elaborate on how true friends bring light and joy into our lives, much like sparkly diamonds.

“There are three things that grow more precious with age; old wood to burn, old books to read, and old friends to enjoy.” — Henry Ford

In this quote, American industrialist and business magnate Henry Ford compares old wood, old books and old friends and tells us how they all become more precious with age. This quote highlights the importance of long-lasting friendships and the joy they bring. Just like fine wine, old friends too, improve over time. They enrich our experiences and show us the value of lifelong companionship.

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here, American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests that the only path to having a friend is by being one yourself. He encourages us to cultivate meaningful connections by extending the same care that we seek from others. His words are a call to action for those who find themselves unable to make friends easily.

“True friendship is a plant of slow growth…” — George Washington

American politician George Washington suggests that true friendship takes time to develop, much like a slow-growing plant that requires nurturing and patience to blossom. Washington states that genuine friendships cannot be formed instantly but evolve over time, through years of trust and mutual understanding.

“You find out who your real friends are when you’re involved in a scandal.” — Elizabeth Taylor

In this quote, British and American actress, Elizabeth Taylor offers insight into the nature of friendship during challenging times. Taylor shares how, in moments of crisis, only genuine friends stand by our side, offering the support we need. She puts the spotlight on challenges when discovering who a real friend is. 

These words by some of the greatest personalities in the world show how important friendship is. They remind us that friends can help us, make us happy and be there for us, come rain or shine. So, let’s remember these insightful and funny friendship quotes and appreciate the special friends we have in life. Let us always treasure our friendships because they make our lives better.