--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We human beings glimpse lofty ideals…" description: "\"“We human beings glimpse lofty ideals, catch ourselves betraying them, and sink to suicidal despair--despair from which only the love of our friends ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/john-gardner-3092_friendship_we-human-beings-glimpse-lofty-ideals-cat_2665034.png" --- # We human beings glimpse lofty ideals, catch ourselves… ![“We human beings glimpse lofty ideals, catch ourselves betraying them, and sink to suicidal despair--despair from which only the love of our friends can save us, since friends see in us those nobler qualities we ourselves, out of long familiarity, have forgotten we possess. That, of course, is why…” quote by John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/john-gardner-3092_friendship_we-human-beings-glimpse-lofty-ideals-cat_2665034.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/john-gardner-3092_friendship_we-human-beings-glimpse-lofty-ideals-cat_2665034.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/298/john-gardner-3092_friendship_we-human-beings-glimpse-lofty-ideals-cat_2665034.png) > ““We human beings glimpse lofty ideals, catch ourselves betraying them, and sink to suicidal despair--despair from which only the love of our friends can save us, since friends see in us those nobler qualities we ourselves, out of long familiarity, have forgotten we possess. That, of course, is why the suicidal person is difficult around his friends.”” [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often fail to live up to their ideals, leading to despair that only true friendship can alleviate because friends remind us of our forgotten virtues. **In simple terms:** Despair from unmet ideals can be eased by friends who see our best qualities. Key Takeaway Cultivate deep friendships that reflect your higher self. Themes friendship despair self‑realization Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - mental health crises - personal growth - support networks - self‑esteem Key Concepts existentialism psychology Questions to Reflect On - What qualities do your friends see in you that you overlook? - How can you become a better friend to yourself? A Different Perspective Friends may not always recognize or address the root causes of despair. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Despair Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair-despair-405145/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Idealism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idealism/) [Sink Suicidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sink-suicidal-2458682/) [Suicidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suicidal/) [Suicidal Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suicidal-despair-2458681/) [Suicidal Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suicidal-person-220273/) [Suicide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suicide/) ## Related quotes > [Anyone who suggests that coming back from suicidal despair is a straightforward journey has never taken it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/anyone-who-suggests-that-coming-back-from-suicidal-despair-is-a/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [I'm not a suicidal person at all, but on paper it seems that I am. 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