Henry David Thoreau Quotations: Friendship
My friend is one whom I meet, who takes me for what I am. A stranger takes me for something else than what I am.—Journal, 23 October 1852
Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.—Thoreau to Lidian Emerson, 22 May 1843
On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have hence forth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world. —Journal, 28 February 1840
The death of friends should inspire us as much as their lives. If they are great and rich enough, they will leave consolation to the mourners before the expenses of their funerals.—Journal, 19 February 1842
The language of friendship is not words but meanings. It is an intelligence above language.—A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers
The only danger in Friendship is that it will end.—A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers
The price of friendship is the total surrender of yourself; no lesser kindness, no ordinary attentions and offerings will buy it.—Journal, 13 July 1857
The sad memory of departed friends is soon incrusted over with sublime and pleasing thoughts, as their monuments are overgrown with moss. Nature doth thus kindly heal every wound.—Journal, 13 March 1842
There are enough who will flatter me with sweet words, and anon use bitter ones to balance them, but they are not my friends. Simple sincerity and truth are rare indeed.—Journal, 9 September 1852
There are times when we have had enough even of our Friends.—A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers
