Friendship

Four be the things I am wiser to know: Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends.

Foemen at morn, but friends at eve— Fame or country least their care: (What like a bullet can undeceive!)

Is made of love and friendship, and sits high Upon the forehead of humanity.

To know nor faith, nor love nor law; to be Omnipotent but friendless is to reign.

The poor dog, in life the firmest friend, The first to welcome, foremost to defend.

“Friendship is Love without his wings!”

What though youth gave love and roses, Age still leaves us friends and wine.

Flowers are lovely; love is flower-like; Friendship is a sheltering tree.

Oh, poverty parts good company.

His ancient, trusty, drouthy crony; Tam lo’ed him like a vera brither— They had been fou for weeks thegither.

For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet For auld lang syne!

I praise the Frenchman [La Bruyère], his remark was shrewd— How sweet, how passing sweet, is solitude! But grant me still a friend in my retreat Whom I may whisper—solitude is sweet.

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere, Heav’n did a recompense as largely send: He gave to mis’ry all he had, a tear, He gain’d from Heav’n (’twas all he wish’d) a friend.

Officious, innocent, sincere, Of every friendless name the friend.

Thou wert my guide, philosopher, and friend. 6

True friendship’s laws are by this rule express’d, Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.

From wine what sudden friendship springs!

Ah yet, ere I descend to the grave May I a small house and large garden have; And a few friends, and many books, both true, Both wise, and both delightful too!

Nor shall our cups make any guilty men: But, at our parting, we will be, as when We innocently met.

True happiness Consists not in the multitude of friends, But in the worth and choice.

Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls; For, thus friends absent speak.

My friends were poor, but honest. 41

Love all, trust a few, Do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy Rather in power than use, and keep thy friend Under thy own life’s key: be check’d for silence, But never tax’d for speech.