The friend within the man is that part of him which belongs to you and opens to you a door which never, perhaps, is opened to another. Such a friend is true, and all he says is true; and he loves you even if he hates you in other mansions of his heart.
Interpretation
True friendship connects deeply, allowing for honesty and loyalty even amidst conflicting feelings.
This quote by Antoine De Saint-Exupery reflects on the nature of true friendship, suggesting that there exists a deep part of a person that can be uniquely shared with a true friend. It highlights the idea that true friends possess a bond that transcends superficial interactions, allowing for an intimate connection where they can express their authentic selves, including admitting both love and conflict that may exist in other aspects of their lives.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of deep connections, I might say, 'As Antoine De Saint-Exupery said, the friend within the man opens a door to true understanding.'
Grown-ups love figures... When you tell them you've made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you "What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? " Instead they demand "How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? " Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.
Attitude is a paintbrush. It colors everything!
Water, thou hast no taste, no color, no odor; canst not be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself, thou fillest us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses.
In those days, I didn't understand anything. I should have judged her according to her actions, not her words. She perfumed my planet and lit up my life. I should never have run away! I ought to have realized the tenderness underlying her silly pretensions. Flowers are so contadictory! But I was too young to know how to love her.
When a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey.
When the body sinks into death, the essence of man is revealed. Man is a knot, a web, a mesh into which relationships are tied. Only those relationships matter. The body is an old crock that nobody will miss. I have never known a man to think of himself when dying. Never.
I'll never see them again. I know that. And they know that. And knowing this, we say farewell.
We ought, all of us, to realize each other in this intense, pathetic, and important way. If you say that this is absurd, and that we cannot be in love with everyone at once, I merely point out to you that, as a matter of fact, certain persons do exist with an enormous capacity for friendship and for taking delight in other people's lives; and that such persons know more of truth than if their hearts were not so big.
A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.
Is that the basis of friendship? Is it as reactive as that? Do we respond only to people who seem to find us interesting?... Do we all buzz or ring or light up when people press our vanity buttons, and only then? Can I think of anyone in my whole life whom I have liked without his first showing signs of liking me?
It is only the great hearted who can be true friends. The mean and cowardly, Can never know what true friendship means.
There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no greeting like his welcome, no homage like his praise.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.