--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A friend is a possession we earn, not a…" description: "\"A friend is a possession we earn, not a gift.\" — Marvin J. Ashton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/747/marvin-j-ashton-3195_friend_a-friend-is-a-possession-we-earn-not-a-g_1667178.png" --- # A friend is a possession we earn, not a gift. ![“A friend is a possession we earn, not a gift.” quote by Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/747/marvin-j-ashton-3195_friend_a-friend-is-a-possession-we-earn-not-a-g_1667178.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/747/marvin-j-ashton-3195_friend_a-friend-is-a-possession-we-earn-not-a-g_1667178.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/747/marvin-j-ashton-3195_friend_a-friend-is-a-possession-we-earn-not-a-g_1667178.png) > “A friend is a possession we earn, not a gift.” [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) ## 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 earned through effort and mutual respect, not simply given as a gift. **In simple terms:** Friends are earned, not given. Key Takeaway Invest in relationships. Themes friendship gratitude effort Mood warm reflective Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - team projects - family gatherings - community service - online networking Key Concepts reciprocity trust value Questions to Reflect On - How do you show appreciation for earned friends? - Can a gift become a lasting bond? A Different Perspective Some friendships arise spontaneously without effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Earn Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earn-gift-820343/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friend Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend-possession-820341/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Possession Earn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession-earn-820342/) ## Related quotes > [A friend is a possession we earn, not a gift. …The Lord has declared that those who serve him and keep his commandments are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/a-friend-is-a-possession-we-earn-not-a-gift-the-lord-has-declared/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [I am a friend. I have in my possession two thousand assorted buttons, eight hundred keys, and only one friend. Perhaps it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kami-garcia/i-am-a-friend-i-have-in-my-possession-two-thousand-assorted-buttons/) [Kami Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kami-garcia/) > [Meek wifehood is no part of my profession; / I am your friend, but never your possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-brittain/meek-wifehood-is-no-part-of-my-profession-i-am-your-friend-but-never/) [Vera Brittain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-brittain/) > [Peace-not passion, not personal possessions, not personal accomplishments nor happiness-is one of the greatest blessings a man can receive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/peace-not-passion-not-personal-possessions-not-personal/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Life is not a possession to be defended, but a gift to be shared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/life-is-not-a-possession-to-be-defended-but-a-gift-to-be-shared/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I believe that friendship is life's most precious and amazing gift and an incredibly powerful force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananya-birla/i-believe-that-friendship-is-life-s-most-precious-and-amazing-gift/) [Ananya Birla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananya-birla/) > [“it was a gift from a very special friend. It means a lot to me now, give it back. -Akira to Mina”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nozomu-tamaki/it-was-a-gift-from-a-very-special-friend-it-means-a-lot-to-me-now/) [Nozomu Tamaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nozomu-tamaki/) > [Frindship is a gift try to take care of it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/frindship-is-a-gift-try-to-take-care-of-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My job is unbearable to me because it conflicts with my only desire and my only calling, which is literature. Since I am nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/my-job-is-unbearable-to-me-because-it-conflicts-with-my-only-desire/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [First kill me before you take possession of my Fatherland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession-of-my-fatherland/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [The good Bishop of Assisi expressed a sort of horror at the hard life which the Little Brothers lived at the Portiuncula, without comforts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-good-bishop-of-assisi-expressed-a-sort-of-horror-at-the-hard-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The gospel assures you that your value is not dependent on your looks or material possessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-l-jack/the-gospel-assures-you-that-your-value-is-not-dependent-on-your-looks/) [Elaine L. Jack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-l-jack/) > [The privilege of prayer to me is one of the most cherished possessions, because faith and experience alike convince me that God himself sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfred-grenfell/the-privilege-of-prayer-to-me-is-one-of-the-most-cherished/) [Wilfred Grenfell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfred-grenfell/) > [Never be too busy for the people you love. Never allow pursuits or possessions to become bigger priorities than your relationships. Love is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-willis/never-be-too-busy-for-the-people-you-love-never-allow-pursuits-or/) [Dave Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-willis/) > [In sports teams, apart from talk of sporting prowess and the imparting of inspirational thought, an extraordinary amount of time is spent discussing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harsha-bhogle/in-sports-teams-apart-from-talk-of-sporting-prowess-and-the-imparting/) [Harsha Bhogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harsha-bhogle/) ## More by Marvin J. Ashton > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Satan is ever present, trying to destroy our glory and remove our crown. One of his most powerful tools is discouragement. Don't let your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/satan-is-ever-present-trying-to-destroy-our-glory-and-remove-our/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Shaking off restrictive chains requires action. They cannot be wished away. A declaration will never break chains. It requires commitment, self-discipline, and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/shaking-off-restrictive-chains-requires-action-they-cannot-be-wished/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [“The shepherds were invited to come and see. They saw. They trembled. They testified. They rejoiced. They saw Him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/the-shepherds-were-invited-to-come-and-see-they-saw-they-trembled/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/as-children-of-god-we-are-somebody-he-will-build-us-mold-us-and/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [We should teach, particularly ourselves, that nobody is a nobody. We are someone, and with God's help we can accomplish all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-should-teach-particularly-ourselves-that-nobody-is-a-nobody-we-are/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/perhaps-the-greatest-charity-comes-when-we-are-kind-to-each-other/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [“An understanding, loving heart is the pinnacle of all human emotions…. We come closest to becoming Christlike when we are charitable and understanding of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/an-understanding-loving-heart-is-the-pinnacle-of-all-human-emotions/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [When a mother asked her small child how he fell out of bed, he answered, "Because I wasn't in far enough." Let me just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/when-a-mother-asked-her-small-child-how-he-fell-out-of-bed-he/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [All of us need to be constantly reminded it takes a heap of living and loving to make a house a home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/all-of-us-need-to-be-constantly-reminded-it-takes-a-heap-of-living/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [A willingness to vocalize feelings. How important it is to be willing to voice one's thoughts and feelings. Yes, how important it is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/a-willingness-to-vocalize-feelings-how-important-it-is-to-be-willing/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Peace-not passion, not personal possessions, not personal accomplishments nor happiness-is one of the greatest blessings a man can receive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/peace-not-passion-not-personal-possessions-not-personal/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Young people . . , God wants us to be victorious. He wants you to triumph over all of your foes. Stalwart and brave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/young-people-god-wants-us-to-be-victorious-he-wants-you-to-triumph/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment. Goal setting should cause us to stretch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/the-direction-in-which-we-are-moving-is-more-important-than-where-we/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [“With God’s help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances. … It is sunshine when clouds block the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/with-god-s-help-good-cheer-permits-us-to-rise-above-the-depressing/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) [Explore all 137 Marvin J. Ashton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) ## 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": "A friend is a possession we earn, not a gift.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marvin J. 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