--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...or like an old friend one has known…" description: "\"...or like an old friend one has known too well and doesn't want to see.\" — Doris Lessing" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe9/doris-lessing-501_friend_or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too_1864254.png" --- # ...or like an old friend one has known too well and… ![“...or like an old friend one has known too well and doesn't want to see.” quote by Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe9/doris-lessing-501_friend_or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too_1864254.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe9/doris-lessing-501_friend_or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too_1864254.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe9/doris-lessing-501_friend_or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too_1864254.png) > “...or like an old friend one has known too well and doesn't want to see.” [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A cherished relationship can become burdensome when familiarity breeds discomfort and avoidance. **In simple terms:** Close friends can feel like a burden. Key Takeaway Recognize and address uncomfortable familiarity. Themes relationships comfort avoidance Mood reflective melancholic Type observational literary When to use this quote - family gatherings - old friendships - reunion events - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology attachment familiarity Questions to Reflect On - What relationships do you avoid? - How can you confront familiar discomfort? A Different Perspective Avoidance may prevent necessary growth or honesty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doesn Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doesn-want/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friend Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend-known-451846/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Known Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known-doesn-2233528/) [Like Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-old/) [Old friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-friend/) [Old friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-friends/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [A guitar is like an old friend that is there with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-b-king/a-guitar-is-like-an-old-friend-that-is-there-with-me/) [B. B. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-b-king/) > [Some possessions are like old friends, and you never want to abandon an old friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-campbell/some-possessions-are-like-old-friends-and-you-never-want-to-abandon/) [Nina Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-campbell/) > [Being known just for being known doesn't interest me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jannik-sinner/being-known-just-for-being-known-doesn-t-interest-me/) [Jannik Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jannik-sinner/) > [Not being known doesn't stop the truth from being true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/not-being-known-doesn-t-stop-the-truth-from-being-true/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Just because you're well known doesn't mean you don't experience heartbreak or have a relationship that doesn't go the way you want it to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tucker/just-because-you-re-well-known-doesn-t-mean-you-don-t-experience/) [Jonathan Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tucker/) > [“There's not that much known, but there's a lot you can write about what's not known, why it isn't known and who doesn't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ellis/there-s-not-that-much-known-but-there-s-a-lot-you-can-write-about/) [Richard Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ellis/) > [“The rage is like an old friend visiting, one you've missed and embrace with open arms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ker-dukey/the-rage-is-like-an-old-friend-visiting-one-you-ve-missed-and-embrace/) [Ker Dukey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ker-dukey/) > [The short story is like an old friend who calls whenever he is in town. We are happy to hear from it; we casually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-z-sheppard/the-short-story-is-like-an-old-friend-who-calls-whenever-he-is-in/) [R Z Sheppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-z-sheppard/) > [There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no greeting like his welcome, no homage like his praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-no-friend-like-an-old-friend-who-has-shared-our-morning-days/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Wrinkle not thy sable brow at me, my friend. All will be known to you at last. To you as to every man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/wrinkle-not-thy-sable-brow-at-me-my-friend-all-will-be-known-to-you/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [A sure friend is known in unsure circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quintus-ennius/a-sure-friend-is-known-in-unsure-circumstances/) [Quintus Ennius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quintus-ennius/) > [I can tell you, dearest friend, that if it became known how much friendship, love and a world of human and spiritual references I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alban-berg/i-can-tell-you-dearest-friend-that-if-it-became-known-how-much/) [Alban Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alban-berg/) > [A friend is known when needed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arabian-proverbs/a-friend-is-known-when-needed/) [Arabian Proverbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arabian-proverbs/) > [Prove your friend ere you have need, but in deed A friend is never known till a man have need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-heywood/prove-your-friend-ere-you-have-need-but-in-deed-a-friend-is-never/) [John Heywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-heywood/) > [You're nice,' Cushie told him, squeezing his hand. 'And you're my oldest friend.' But they both must have known that you can know someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/you-re-nice-cushie-told-him-squeezing-his-hand-and-you-re-my-oldest/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) ## More by Doris Lessing > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“In the morning, when she wishes me to wake, she crouches on my chest, and pats my face with her paw. Or, if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/in-the-morning-when-she-wishes-me-to-wake-she-crouches-on-my-chest/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [You know, whenever women make imaginary female kingdoms in literature, they are always very permissive, to use the jargon word, and easy and generous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/you-know-whenever-women-make-imaginary-female-kingdoms-in-literature/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [There is only one real sin and that is to persuade oneself that the second best is anything but second best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/there-is-only-one-real-sin-and-that-is-to-persuade-oneself-that-the/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“She was using the water as she had used the fruit earlier—to calm herself, to assure herself of the possibility of normality. Yet all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/she-was-using-the-water-as-she-had-used-the-fruit-earlier-to-calm/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [I remember World War II when there were very few books, very little paper available. For me to walk into a shop or look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/i-remember-world-war-ii-when-there-were-very-few-books-very-little/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [They can't give a Nobel to someone who's dead so I think they were probably thinking they had better give it to me now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/they-can-t-give-a-nobel-to-someone-who-s-dead-so-i-think-they-were/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“While she strode rapidly through the ward to the door at the other end, she was able to see that every bed or cot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/while-she-strode-rapidly-through-the-ward-to-the-door-at-the-other/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [I do not think that marriage is one of my talents. I've been much happier unmarried than married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/i-do-not-think-that-marriage-is-one-of-my-talents-i-ve-been-much/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [I haven't got the energy to write now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/i-haven-t-got-the-energy-to-write-now/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [What really fascinates me is this need that is so strong now that if you read a work of the imagination you instantly have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/what-really-fascinates-me-is-this-need-that-is-so-strong-now-that-if/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“The charge that the United Nations are using bacteriological warfare in Korea cannot be dismissed merely because it would be insane.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/the-charge-that-the-united-nations-are-using-bacteriological-warfare/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [What I did have, which others perhaps didn't, was a capacity for sticking at it, which really is the point, not the talent at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/what-i-did-have-which-others-perhaps-didn-t-was-a-capacity-for/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [The human community is evolving... . We can survive anything you care to mention. We are supremely equipped to survive, to adapt and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/the-human-community-is-evolving-we-can-survive-anything-you-care-to/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [So love is rest? The cosy corner? The little nook? Sometimes it ought to be. Sometimes it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/so-love-is-rest-the-cosy-corner-the-little-nook-sometimes-it-ought-to/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) [Explore all 508 Doris Lessing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) ## More Friend quotes > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Friends are like stars you can't always see them, but you know they're there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknwon/friends-are-like-stars-you-can-t-always-see-them-but-you-know-they-re/) [Unknwon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unknwon/) > [“But my best friend from college was silent for a long time. She, of all of my friends, had seen the parade of sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/but-my-best-friend-from-college-was-silent-for-a-long-time-she-of-all/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [“way. A true friend isn't the one that agrees with everything you say or do. A true friend is someone that has your back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shameek-speight/way-a-true-friend-isn-t-the-one-that-agrees-with-everything-you-say/) [Shameek Speight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shameek-speight/) > [No one is completely unhappy at the failure of his best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/no-one-is-completely-unhappy-at-the-failure-of-his-best-friend/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [“The real purpose of friendship was to discover and exploit weakness in others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-thompson/the-real-purpose-of-friendship-was-to-discover-and-exploit-weakness/) [Brian Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-thompson/) > [That FRIEND who claim they do anything for you. but yet talk behind your back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kushsoulja/that-friend-who-claim-they-do-anything-for-you-but-yet-talk-behind/) [KushSoulja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kushsoulja/) > [In life, we never lose friends we only get to know who the true ones are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-kid/in-life-we-never-lose-friends-we-only-get-to-know-who-the-true-ones/) [Ace Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ace-kid/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [Sam dropped me off. When she was too far away to see me, I started to cry again. Because she was my friend again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chbosky/sam-dropped-me-off-when-she-was-too-far-away-to-see-me-i-started-to/) [Stephen Chbosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chbosky/) > [“When you get lost in a really strange place, nothing is more comforting than found your friend whom you trust and can show the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-get-lost-in-a-really-strange-place-nothing-is-more/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/friendship-the-wine-of-life-should-like-a-well-stocked-cellar-be/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [I fell in love with my best friend, but I know that if it doesn't last, it will never be the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-yang/i-fell-in-love-with-my-best-friend-but-i-know-that-if-it-doesn-t-last/) [Shelly Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-yang/) > [A best friend isn't someone who's just always there for you.Its someone who understands you a bit more than you understand yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/a-best-friend-isn-t-someone-who-s-just-always-there-for-you-its/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) [Browse all 14,984 Friend quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "...or like an old friend one has known too well and doesn't want to see.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Doris Lessing" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too-well-and-doesn-t-want-to-see/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Friend" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too-well-and-doesn-t-want-to-see/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe9/doris-lessing-501_friend_or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too_1864254.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe9/doris-lessing-501_friend_or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too_1864254.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe9/doris-lessing-501_friend_or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too_1864254.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“...or like an old friend one has known too well and doesn't want to see.” — Doris Lessing", "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": "Doris Lessing", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "...or like an old friend one...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too-well-and-doesn-t-want-to-see/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/or-like-an-old-friend-one-has-known-too-well-and-doesn-t-want-to-see/#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 } } ] } ```