Some men storm imaginary Alps all their lives, and die in the foothills cursing difficulties which do not exist.
E. W. HoweRead
When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True friendship is about taking initiative and offering help without being asked.
This quote emphasizes the importance of being proactive in supporting a friend who is experiencing difficulties. It suggests that rather than simply asking how you can help, which may come off as insincere or irritating, one should take the initiative to thoughtfully identify a way to assist and then act on it, embodying true friendship and care.
Themes
FriendshipSupportInitiativeHelpingCare
In practice
Example use cases
In a group discussion about how to support friends, one might use this quote to highlight proactive support.
More from E. W. Howe
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We cannot always assure the future of our friends; we have a better chance of assuring our future if we remember who our friends are.
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Strange children should smile at each other and say, "Let's play.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead