Friendship

“Your friend is your needs answered. He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving. And he is your board and your fireside. For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay." And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart; For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed. When you part from your friend, you grieve not; For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain. And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit. For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend. If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also. For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill? Seek him always with hours to live. For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness. And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” ― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet 

“When you meet those whose opinions differ from your own, do not turn away your face from them. All are seeking truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one. Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow-men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts. Rather, search diligently for the truth and make all men your friends.” -‘Abdu’l-Bahá

“Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.” - Aristotle

“A faithful friend is the medicine of life.” – the Bible

“Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

“Don’t walk in front of me.. I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me.. I may not lead. Walk beside me.. And be my friend.” - Albert Camus “People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don’t need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“True friends are even as skilled physicians, and the Teachings of God are as healing balm, a medicine for the conscience of man. They clear the head, so that a man can breathe them in and delight in their sweet fragrance. They waken those who sleep. They bring awareness to the unheeding, and a portion to the outcast, and to the hopeless, hope.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

“With every true friendship, we build more firmly the foundations on which the peace of the whole world rests.” -Mahatma Gandhi

“To keep a friend, you must be a friend. To be a friend, you must be open-hearted, understanding, and forgiving.” - the Buddha

“One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. If, however, we look at people from the standpoint of their faults, then being a friend to them is a formidable task.” - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “An insincere and evil friend is more to be feard than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind” – the Buddha

“Cleanse ye your eyes, so that ye behold no man as different from yourselves. See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends, for love and unity come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness.” – Abdu’l-Baha