--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Distance sometimes endears friendship…" description: "\"Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.\" — James Howell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/james-howell-15254_absence_distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-an_1081.jpg" --- # Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence… ![“Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.” quote by James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/james-howell-15254_absence_distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-an_1081.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/james-howell-15254_absence_distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-an_1081.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/james-howell-15254_absence_distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-an_1081.jpg) > “Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.” [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical separation can intensify emotional bonds, making reunions more meaningful and memories more cherished. **In simple terms:** Absence can deepen affection. Key Takeaway Distance fuels appreciation. Themes friendship longing memory emotional intensity Mood wistful hopeful Type aphoristic poetic When to use this quote - long‑distance friendships - military deployments - study abroad experiences Key Concepts nostalgia anticipation Practical Applications - scheduled check‑ins - shared digital journals Questions to Reflect On - When does distance become detrimental? - How can we balance closeness and space? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ## Related quotes > [Distance sometimes endears friendships, and sweetens it - for separation from those we love shows us, by the loss, their real value and dearness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendships-and-sweetens-it-for-separation/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [We must begin by acknowledging that there is a complete absence of two things in Indian Society. One of these is equality. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-r-ambedkar/we-must-begin-by-acknowledging-that-there-is-a-complete-absence-of/) [B. R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) > [Will capitalist economies operate at full employment in the absence of routine intervention? Certainly not. Are deviations from full employment a social problem? Obviously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/will-capitalist-economies-operate-at-full-employment-in-the-absence/) [Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Cooperation isn't the absence of conflict but a means of managing conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/cooperation-isn-t-the-absence-of-conflict-but-a-means-of-managing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [“I was thinking how most people don't make you feel much of anything at all. Don't make you feel like time spent with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lotter/i-was-thinking-how-most-people-don-t-make-you-feel-much-of-anything/) [Jane Lotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lotter/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/every-person-needs-to-take-one-day-away-a-day-in-which-one/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [It is suggested that in domestic violence at least the presence or absence of a firearm, or of any other type of weapon, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/it-is-suggested-that-in-domestic-violence-at-least-the-presence-or/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. Of the bodily desires, it is the sexual by which they are most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/young-men-have-strong-passions-and-tend-to-gratify-them/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Total depravity means the entire absence of holiness, not the highest intensity of sin. A totally depraved man is not as bad as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/total-depravity-means-the-entire-absence-of-holiness-not-the-highest/) [William Greenough Thayer Shedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/) > [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) ## More by James Howell > [We learn by teaching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/we-learn-by-teaching/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Owe money at Easter and Lent will seem short to thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/owe-money-at-easter-and-lent-will-seem-short-to-thee/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [French wines may be said but to pickle meat in the stomach, but this is the wine that digests, and doth not only breed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/french-wines-may-be-said-but-to-pickle-meat-in-the-stomach-but-this/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Words and works eat not at one table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/words-and-works-eat-not-at-one-table/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Burn not thy fingers to snuff another man's candle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/burn-not-thy-fingers-to-snuff-another-man-s-candle/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [One hair of a woman can draw more than a hundred pair of oxen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/one-hair-of-a-woman-can-draw-more-than-a-hundred-pair-of-oxen/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Respect a man, he will do the more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/respect-a-man-he-will-do-the-more/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [He that hath money in his purse cannot want a head for his shoulders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/he-that-hath-money-in-his-purse-cannot-want-a-head-for-his-shoulders/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [“Could any State on Earth Immortall be, Venice by Her rare Goverment is She; Venice Great Neptunes Minion, still a Mayd, Though by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/could-any-state-on-earth-immortall-be-venice-by-her-rare-goverment-is/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Man's best candle is his understanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/man-s-best-candle-is-his-understanding/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Good wine makes good blood, good blood causeth good humors, good humors cause good thoughts, good thoughts bring forth good works, good works carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/good-wine-makes-good-blood-good-blood-causeth-good-humors-good-humors/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Choose thy friends like thy books, few but choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/choose-thy-friends-like-thy-books-few-but-choice/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Proverbs may not improperly be called the philosophy of the common people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/proverbs-may-not-improperly-be-called-the-philosophy-of-the-common/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Respect a man, he will do it the more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/respect-a-man-he-will-do-it-the-more/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [In time of prosperity friends will be plenty; In time of adversity not one in twenty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/in-time-of-prosperity-friends-will-be-plenty-in-time-of-adversity-not/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) [Explore all 43 James Howell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) ## More Absence quotes > [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) > [Total depravity means the entire absence of holiness, not the highest intensity of sin. A totally depraved man is not as bad as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/total-depravity-means-the-entire-absence-of-holiness-not-the-highest/) [William Greenough Thayer Shedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. Of the bodily desires, it is the sexual by which they are most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/young-men-have-strong-passions-and-tend-to-gratify-them/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It is suggested that in domestic violence at least the presence or absence of a firearm, or of any other type of weapon, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/it-is-suggested-that-in-domestic-violence-at-least-the-presence-or/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/every-person-needs-to-take-one-day-away-a-day-in-which-one/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“I was thinking how most people don't make you feel much of anything at all. Don't make you feel like time spent with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lotter/i-was-thinking-how-most-people-don-t-make-you-feel-much-of-anything/) [Jane Lotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lotter/) > [Cooperation isn't the absence of conflict but a means of managing conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/cooperation-isn-t-the-absence-of-conflict-but-a-means-of-managing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Will capitalist economies operate at full employment in the absence of routine intervention? Certainly not. Are deviations from full employment a social problem? Obviously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/will-capitalist-economies-operate-at-full-employment-in-the-absence/) [Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/) > [We must begin by acknowledging that there is a complete absence of two things in Indian Society. One of these is equality. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-r-ambedkar/we-must-begin-by-acknowledging-that-there-is-a-complete-absence-of/) [B. R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) > [So far as discipline is concerned, freedom means not its absence but the use of higher and more rational forms as contrasted with those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-horton-cooley/so-far-as-discipline-is-concerned-freedom-means-not-its-absence-but/) [Charles Horton Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-horton-cooley/) [Browse all 2,057 Absence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James Howell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/james-howell-15254_absence_distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-an_1081.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/james-howell-15254_absence_distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-an_1081.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/james-howell-15254_absence_distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-an_1081.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.” — James Howell", "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": "James Howell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/#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 } } ] } ```