Never promise more than you can perform.
Publilius SyrusRead
Treat your friend as if he might become an enemy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Be mindful of how you treat your friends, as their loyalty can change.
This quote suggests that one should treat their friends with a degree of caution and respect, acknowledging that relationships can evolve over time. It reflects the idea that even those who are close to us can become adversaries under certain circumstances, highlighting the importance of being considerate and maintaining healthy boundaries in friendships.
Themes
FriendshipCautionRelationshipsLoyaltyRespect
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the dynamics of friendship at a community event.
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Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
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What a tragedy is help where it harms what it supports!
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The miser is as much in want of what he has as of what he has not.
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We secure our friends not by accepting favors but by doing them.
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