If a friend of mine gave a feast, and did not invite me to…
“If a friend of mine gave a feast, and did not invite me to it, I should not mind a bit. but if a friend of mine had a sorrow and refused to allow me to share it, I should feel it most bitterly. If he shut the doors of the house of mourning against me, I would move back again and again and beg to be admitted so that I might share in what I was entitled to share. If he thought me unworthy, unfit to weep with him, I should feel it as the most poignant humiliation.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True friendship involves sharing both joy and sorrow; being excluded from grief feels more painful than missing a celebration.
In simple terms: Friendship means sharing happiness and sorrow equally.
Key Takeaway
Value mutual emotional support.
Themes
friendship
empathy
humility
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- comforting a grieving friend
- inviting others to share joy
- reflecting on personal empathy
- building inclusive relationships
Key Concepts
social bonds
emotional reciprocity
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel comfortable sharing your grief?
- How can you invite others into both happy and sad moments?
A Different Perspective
Cultural may idealize self‑sacrifice over personal boundaries.