Quotes About Companionship

All companionship can consist in only the strengthening of neighboring solitudes, giving oneself is by nature harmful to companionship: for when a person abandons himself, he is no longer anything, and when two people both give themselves up in order to become closer to each other, there is no longer any ground beneath them and their being together is a continual falling – I have learned over and over again, there is scarcely anything more difficult than to love one another.

A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude.

if what is near you is far off, then your distance is already among the stars and is very large; take joy in your growth, on which indeed you can take no companion, and be kind to those who stay behind, be steadfast and at peace before them, and do not torment them with your doubts and do not frighten them with your confidence or joy, which they could not understand.

Ultimately nobody can help anyone else in life; one has this recurring experience in every conflict and confusion: that one is alone. (Letters on Life)

There is only one solitude, and it is vast and not easy to bear and almost everyone has moments when they would happily exchange it for some form of company, be it ever so banal or trivial, for the illusion of some slight correspondence with whoever one happens to come across, however unworthy… But perhaps those are precisely the hours when solitude grows, for its growth is painful like the growth of boys and sad like the beginning of spring.

because I consider this to be the highest task of a connection between two people: that both guard the others loneliness. – Rainer Maria Rilke

And if what is close is far, then the space around you is wide indeed and already among the stars; take pleasure in your growth, in which no one can accompany you, and be kind-hearted towards those you leave behind, and be assured and gentle with them and do not plague them with your doubts or frighten them with your confidence or your joyfulness, which they cannot understand.

Weißt du, ich will mich schleichen leise aus lautem Kreis, wenn ich erst die bleichen Sterne über den Eichen blühen weiß. Wege will ich erkiesen, die selten wer betritt in blassen Abendwiesen? und keinen Traum, als diesen: Du gehst mit.

In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends imprisoned by an enchanter in paper and leathern boxes.

Go oft to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path.

A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.

We talk of choosing our friends, but our friends are self-elected.

An Eastern poet, Ali Ben Abu Taleb, writes with sad truth, — He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, And he who has one enemy shall meet him everywhere.

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it's the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.

Satu-satunya cara untuk mendapat sahabat ialah dengan menjadi sahabat.

Society we must have; but let it be society, and not exchanging news or eating from the same dish. Is it society to sit in one of your chairs? I cannot go to the houses of my nearest relatives, because I do not wish to be alone. Society exists by chemical affinity, and not otherwise.

The soul environs itself with friends, that it may enter into a grander self-acquaintance or solitude; and it goes alone for a season, that it may exalt its conversation or society.

Who hears me, who understands me, becomes mine, — a possession for all time.

A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends. For every friend whom he loses for truth, he gains a better.

If you are true, but not in the same truth with me, cleave to your companions; I will seek my own. I do this not selfishly, but humbly and truly. It is alike your interest, and mine, and all men's, however long we have dwelt in lies, to live in truth.

Is it a reply to these suggestions, to say, society is a Pestalozzian school; all are teachers and pupils in turn. We are equally served by receiving and by imparting. Men who know the same things, are not long the best company for each other.

We walk alone in the world. Friends, such as we desire, are dreams and fables

Ein Freund ist ein Mensch, vor dem man laut denken kann.