--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: True friendship's laws are by this rule…" description: "\"True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd, Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.\" — Alexander Pope" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/alexander-pope-235_being-a-true-friend_true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule_3166459.png" --- # True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd, Welcome… ![“True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd, Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/alexander-pope-235_being-a-true-friend_true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule_3166459.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/alexander-pope-235_being-a-true-friend_true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule_3166459.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/alexander-pope-235_being-a-true-friend_true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule_3166459.png) > “True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd, Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.” [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## 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 governed by a rule: welcome arrivals, but hasten departures of guests. **In simple terms:** Friendship welcomes, but also lets go. Key Takeaway Cherish friends but accept their leaving. Themes friendship transience etiquette Mood reflective poetic Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - parting - social gatherings - friendship maintenance Key Concepts social contract human connection Questions to Reflect On - How do you gracefully say goodbye? - What does swift departure say about value? A Different Perspective Ignoring the need to part can strain relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Funny friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny-friend/) [Hospitality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hospitality/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Speed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speed/) [True friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-friend/) [True friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-friendship/) ## Related quotes > [“You English have a saying which is close to my heart, for its spirit is that which rules our boyars: "Welcome the coming, speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bram-stoker/you-english-have-a-saying-which-is-close-to-my-heart-for-its-spirit/) [Bram Stoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bram-stoker/) > [True friendship is a plant of slow growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/true-friendship-is-a-plant-of-slow-growth/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Keep what is worth keeping and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/keep-what-is-worth-keeping-and-with-the-breath-of-kindness-blow-the/) [Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Between married persons, the cement of friendship is by the laws supposed so strong as to abolish all division of possessions: andhas often, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/between-married-persons-the-cement-of-friendship-is-by-the-laws/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [I always feel that I have two duties to perform with a parting guest: one, to see that he doesn't forget anything that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/i-always-feel-that-i-have-two-duties-to-perform-with-a-parting-guest/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [“A Parting Guest What delightful hosts are they— Life and Love! Lingeringly I turn away, This late hour, yet glad enough They have not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-whitcomb-riley/a-parting-guest-what-delightful-hosts-are-they-life-and-love/) [James Whitcomb Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-whitcomb-riley/) > [A true friend is tested in adversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quintus-ennius/a-true-friend-is-tested-in-adversity/) [Quintus Ennius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quintus-ennius/) > [A true friend is someone with whom protocol is no longer necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/a-true-friend-is-someone-with-whom-protocol-is-no-longer-necessary/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [The way to make a true friend is to be one. Friendship implies loyalty, esteem, cordiality, sympathy, affection, readiness to aid, to help, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/the-way-to-make-a-true-friend-is-to-be-one-friendship-implies-loyalty/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [The definition of a true friend is not someone who swoops in when you're going through a rough patch. True friendship is when someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jio/the-definition-of-a-true-friend-is-not-someone-who-swoops-in-when-you/) [Sarah Jio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jio/) > [Do as little harm to others as you can; make any sacrifice for your true friends; be responsible for yourself and ask nothing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/do-as-little-harm-to-others-as-you-can-make-any-sacrifice-for-your/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [If you'd be beloved, make yourself amiable. A true friend is the best possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/if-you-d-be-beloved-make-yourself-amiable-a-true-friend-is-the-best/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [It is your friends who make your world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/it-is-your-friends-who-make-your-world/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Linda Tripp has shown that a true friend is an archivist, a biographer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-schmich/linda-tripp-has-shown-that-a-true-friend-is-an-archivist-a-biographer/) [Mary Schmich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-schmich/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More Being a true friend quotes > [Keep what is worth keeping and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/keep-what-is-worth-keeping-and-with-the-breath-of-kindness-blow-the/) [Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/) > [True friendship is a plant of slow growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/true-friendship-is-a-plant-of-slow-growth/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) Browse all 3 Being a true friend quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd, Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Pope" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule-express-d-welcome-the-coming/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being a true friend" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule-express-d-welcome-the-coming/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/alexander-pope-235_being-a-true-friend_true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule_3166459.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/alexander-pope-235_being-a-true-friend_true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule_3166459.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6eb/alexander-pope-235_being-a-true-friend_true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule_3166459.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd, Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.” — Alexander Pope", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Pope", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "True friendship's laws are by this...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule-express-d-welcome-the-coming/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/true-friendship-s-laws-are-by-this-rule-express-d-welcome-the-coming/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```