wanderlust

8 Valuable Friendship Lessons We Can Learn From These Writers

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Friendship is often taken for granted. As far as literature and the arts are concerned, it takes a back seat to the theme of romantic love, when, in fact, they exist one in continuation of the other and are part of the same human capacity to form bonds and offer others emotional support. Here are but a few ways in which world-famous writers have defined friendship.

  1. “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” (C.S. Lewis, “The Four Loves”)
  1. “Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked.’I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.” (E.B. White, “Charlotte’s Web”)
  1. “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” (Anaïs Nin)

  1. “Why is it,” he said, one time, at the subway entrance, “I feel I’ve known you so many years?”
    “Because I like you,” she said, “and I don’t want anything from you.” (Ray Bradbury, “Fahrenheit 451”)
  1. “The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
  1. “However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship.” (François de la Rochefoucauld)
  1. “A faithful friend is a strong defense;
    And he that hath found him hath found a treasure.” (Louisa May Alcott)
  1. “There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort.” (Charlotte Brontë, “Jane Eyre”)

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Anca Rotar is a Romanian-born writer, over-thinker and caffeine addict. She is the author of two books, Hidden Animals and Before It Sets You Free, both available from Amazon.com. Among her interests, which she finds it hard to shut up about, she counts fashion, yoga, city breaks and deadpan sarcasm. She is also currently studying Japanese, so wish her luck. You can sample bits of Anca’s creative writing here.

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