--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The friendship between a man and a woman…" description: "\"The friendship between a man and a woman which does not lead to marriage or desire for marriage may be a life long experience of the greatest value to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/anna-garlin-spencer-26212_friendship_the-friendship-between-a-man-and-a-woman_2195811.png" --- # The friendship between a man and a woman which does not… ![“The friendship between a man and a woman which does not lead to marriage or desire for marriage may be a life long experience of the greatest value to themselves and to all their circle of acquaintance and of activity; but for this type of friendship both a rare man and a rare woman are needed…” quote by Anna Garlin Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/anna-garlin-spencer-26212_friendship_the-friendship-between-a-man-and-a-woman_2195811.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/anna-garlin-spencer-26212_friendship_the-friendship-between-a-man-and-a-woman_2195811.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/anna-garlin-spencer-26212_friendship_the-friendship-between-a-man-and-a-woman_2195811.png) > “The friendship between a man and a woman which does not lead to marriage or desire for marriage may be a life long experience of the greatest value to themselves and to all their circle of acquaintance and of activity; but for this type of friendship both a rare man and a rare woman are needed. Perhaps it should be added that either the man or the woman thus deeply bound in lifelong friendship who seeks marriage must find a still rarer man or woman to wed, to make such a three cornered comradeship a permanent success” [Anna Garlin Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-garlin-spencer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A deep, non‑marital friendship between a man and a woman is rare and highly valuable, but sustaining it may require a third partner for those seeking marriage. **In simple terms:** Rare cross‑gender friendships are valuable but need a third partner for marriage seekers. Key Takeaway Cherish such friendships, recognize their limits. Themes friendship gender marriage rarity value Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - college life - workplace - community groups - long‑term projects Key Concepts social norms emotional intimacy lifelong bonds Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance deep friendship with romantic expectations? - What qualities make a rare friendship thrive? A Different Perspective Such friendships can be socially misunderstood or lead to jealousy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lifelong Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifelong-friendship/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) ## Related quotes > [The friendship between a man and a woman which does not lead to marriage or desire for marriage may be a life long experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-garlin-spencer/the-friendship-between-a-man-and-a-woman-which-does-not-lead-to-2/) [Anna Garlin Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-garlin-spencer/) > [“Why risk the rare happy marriage-rarer still, a love marriage that endures-for something as common and toxic as complete, unthinking, transparent honesty? 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You know very well what is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/you-may-have-noticed-that-the-books-you-really-love-are-bound-2/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Even in your hobbies, has there not always been some secret attraction which the others are curiously ignorant of--something, not to be identified with,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/even-in-your-hobbies-has-there-not-always-been-some-secret-attraction/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“You may have noticed that the books you really love are bound together by a secret thread. You know very well what is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/you-may-have-noticed-that-the-books-you-really-love-are-bound/) [C.S. 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Have faith in the Eternal Goodness. 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That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“ever day Maureen is Selfish To her friend and Family One she get mad at her friend and family and She need to Grad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-andeson/ever-day-maureen-is-selfish-to-her-friend-and-family-one-she-get-mad/) Maureen Andeson > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. 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