Friendship is less simple. It is long and hard to obtain…
““Friendship is less simple. It is long and hard to obtain but when one has it there's no getting rid of it; one simply has to cope with it. Don't think for a minute that your friends will telephone you every evening, as they ought to, in order to find out if this doesn't happen to be the evening when you are deciding to commit suicide, or simply whether you don't need company, whether you are not in the mood to go out. No, don't worry, they'll ring up the evening you are not alone, when life is beautiful. As for suicide, they would be more likely to push you to it, by virtue of what you owe to yourself, according to them. May heaven protect us, cher Monsieur, from being set upon a pedestal by our friends!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Friendship is complex, demanding effort, and persists through hardships; true friends support you in both dark and bright moments.
In simple terms: Friendship is hard but lasting.
Key Takeaway
Value and nurture deep connections.
Themes
friendship
support
mental health
loneliness
dependence
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- crisis support
- daily life
- emotional distress
- celebrations
- conflict
Key Concepts
existentialism
human connection
responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance reliance on friends with personal autonomy?
- What boundaries protect healthy friendships?
A Different Perspective
Friends may unintentionally pressure you, leading to stress or resentment.