Gentleness is the antidote for cruelty.
PhaedrusRead
Strangers he gulls, but friends make fun of him.
Interpretation
True friends will often tease or challenge each other, unlike superficial acquaintances.
This quote highlights the difference between friends and strangers, suggesting that while strangers may be deceived easily, true friends have a more intimate and honest relationship that allows for playful teasing. It underscores the idea that genuine friendships involve a deeper level of understanding and interaction, where humor can be a sign of closeness rather than malice.
In practice
During a speech about the importance of friendship, this quote could be used to emphasize the value of trust and humor among close friends.
Gentleness is the antidote for cruelty.
In a change of masters the poor change nothing except their master's name.
Everyone is bound to bear patiently the results of his own example.
Everyone ought to bear patiently the results of his own conduct.
It is the part of a fool to give advice to others and not himself to be on his guard.
It is one of the major tragedies that nothing is more discomforting than the hearty affection of the Old Friends who never were friends.
Hallo, Eeyore." "Same to you, Pooh Bear, and twice on Thursdays," said Eeyore gloomily. Before Pooh could say: 'Why Thursdays?' Christopher Robin began to explain the sad story of Eeyore's lost house.
You had been a paper boy to me all these years - two dimensions as a character on the page and two different, but still flat, dimensions as a person. But that night you turned out to be real.
It is like taking the sun out of the world, to bereave human life of friendship.
My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.
Oh, if I had had a friend at this moment, a friend in an attic room, dreaming by candlelight and with a violin lying ready at his hand! How I should have slipped up to him in his quiet hour, noiselessly climbing the winding stair to take him by surprise, and then with talk and music we should have held heavenly festival throughout the night!
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